What Animals Live in Australia?

There are a large variety of animals living in Australia, including mammals, reptiles, fish, amphibians and insects. Many animals have become extinct due to hunting and the destruction of habitats. Australia has passed legislation and created protected areas in order to ensure the survival of its native fauna.

• Dingo: Dingoes are wild dogs mostly found in the outback. There have been reports of dingoes attacking humans, and most attacks have originated in Fraser Island.


• Echidna: Echidnas are small mammals that resemble hedgehogs or porcupines. Their bodies are covered with coarse hair and spines.


• Frilled Lizard: Frilled lizards mainly live in trees. They are relatively large lizards with a large frill around the neck. When frightened, the frill flares out and orange and red scales are displayed.


• Goanna: A Goanna is the name given to an Australian monitor lizard. There are 25 species of Goanna found in Australia.


• Kangaroo: Kangaroos are the national symbol of Australia. There are four species of kangaroos: the red, the eastern grey, the western grey, and the antilopine. The red kangaroo is the largest of the species.


• Koala: Koalas are found in coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia. They live in trees and feed on eucalyptus leaves. Koalas have a slow metabolism and mostly sleep during the day.


• Possum: Possums are small marsupials native to Australia. They are typically nocturnal, and can be a nuisance because many live in suburban areas, where they eat fruit, vegetables, flowers, and nest in roofs.


• Tasmanian devil: Tasmanian devils are carnivorous animals found in the wild on the island of Tasmania. A facial tumor disease threatens the survival of the species, and in 2009, it was declared endangered. The Tasmanian Government has taken measures to reduce the impact.


• Wallaby: The term wallaby refers to about 30 species of marsupials. Species include the agile wallaby and the red-necked wallaby, which are similar to kangaroos.


• Wombat: Wombats are small marsupials that live in the forests and mountains of southeastern Australia and Tasmania. They are herbivores, and dig extensive burrows with their teeth and claws.