Meet 11 Weirdest Animals in Australia And Where To Find Them

Many adorable animals, including the koala, kangaroo, and wombat, can be found in Australia. But the island nation also has some peculiarly shaped creatures that are unique to its habitat. Learn more about Australia’s weirdest animals and where to find them in the wild by reading on.

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#1 Tasmanian Devil

Only the Tasmanian wilderness and national parks are home to wild Tasmanian devils, which should not be confused with the extinct Tasmanian tiger. Although they are not dangerous, if they are attacked or trapped, they will defend themselves. Due to their carnivorous nature, Tasmanian devils eat any animal protein they come across. These can be anything from farm chickens to insects. Devil Facial Tumour Disease, for which researchers are currently searching for a treatment, is sadly killing too many devils today. The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, created by the governments of Australia and Tasmania, aims to prevent the extinction of the species.

The 11 Weirdest Animals in Australia — Tasmanian Devil | © Hayley Simpson

#2 Thorny Devil

Living in central Australia are thorny devils. To ward off predators, they have a fake second head on the back of their necks. Thorny devils sip water by rubbing their spikes against grass and spinifex that have been dampened by dew. The moisture seeps into their mouths through grooves between the spikes. Additionally, they only eat black ants, eating about 1,000 of them each time. Thorny devils have the ability to alter their color to fit in with their surroundings. They can have a gray, orange, red, or yellow appearance.

#3 Bandicoot

Small, omnivorous marsupials called bandicoots are indigenous to Australia and New Guinea. They have sharp snouts. In Australia, there are currently seven different species of bandicoot. They prefer to reside in forested areas, such as woodlands, heathlands, or rainforests. They build their nests in small holes in the ground during the day. Then, at night, they forage in open areas, digging for food with their front feet. Bandicoots have a strong sense of belonging.

#4 Southern Cassowary

The southern cassowary, which is only found in New Guinea and the rainforest region of northeast Queensland, is the third-largest and most dangerous bird in the world. They are dinosaur-related, flightless birds that once flew. According to Australia Zoo, rainforests might not be able to survive without cassowaries. They are in charge of “the distribution and germination of many north Queensland rainforest trees,” which is why. Unfortunately, traffic accidents are the main reason for southern cassowary deaths in Queensland’s Mission Beach region.

#5 Bush stone-curlew

Bush stone-curlews are nocturnal birds that inhabit the entire Australian continent. However, northern Australia is where they are most prevalent. They can be identified by their twig-like legs and their nighttime contact calls. When visitors hear their high-pitched wailing for the first time, it is undoubtedly unsettling. Insects and small vertebrates, such as lizards, snakes, and frogs, are the main food sources for bush stone-curlews.

#6 Frill-necked Lizard

Northern Australia and southern New Guinea both have warm, tropical climates where frill-necked lizards can be found. They live in temperate forests and woodlands, and sadly, habitat destruction is leading to a decline in their population. It also doesn’t help their cause that there are more feral cats around. Depending on their surroundings, frill-necked lizards can also alter their coloration like thorny devils. When they are in danger, mating, or trying to expel extra heat, their “frill”—a flap of skin around their neck—is exposed. As house pets, frill-necked lizards are also frequently kept.

#7 Platypus

Platypuses are native to eastern Australia and have soft bills, thick brown fur, and front webbed paws. A poisonous spur is present on the inside of the male platypuses’ hind legs. They are most active in the early morning and late evening, but they spend the majority of the day in a burrow. They can withstand submersion for a number of minutes and store food in their cheeks. Platypuses depend on healthy waterways to survive, despite the fact that they are not endangered.

#8 Bilby

In fact, the bilby is a well-known Australian Easter symbol because of its enormous ears that resemble bunnies. They have been present in Australia for up to 15 million years, and native Australian stories and songs frequently mention them. In the past century, bilby populations have decreased significantly due to habitat destruction and competition from introduced animals. These days, they can only be found in central Australia, southwest Queensland, and the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia.

#9 Marsupial Mole

A mystery, the desert-dwelling marsupial mole can spend its entire life underground. The central Australian sand deserts are home to the southern and northern marsupial moles. They technically “swim” through their sandy surroundings and survive by breathing the air trapped between sand grains. They are rather diminutive, only reaching a length of 12 to 15 centimeters (4.5 to six inches). Due to the low number of records over the past 50 years, marsupial moles are considered to be an endangered species.

#10 Echidna

Echidnas are the only monotremes in the world, which means they are egg-laying mammals, along with platypuses. Surprisingly, they have body temperatures of 32° Celsius (89° Fahrenheit) and can live up to 50 years. Echidnas can only eat ants and termites because they lack teeth. Aside from having an unusually long claw on its second toe to groom its spines, the spiky echidna also has vertical slits behind its eyes that serve as ears and is Australia’s most common native mammal.

#11 Sugar Glider

The Australian continent’s northern, southern, and eastern regions are home to sugar gliders, a member of the possum family. They make their homes in wooded areas and forests, where they spend the daytime in nests in tree cavities. They move between trees at night, eating nectar, pollen, invertebrates, and tree sap. They steer and stabilize themselves using their bushy tails. Sugar gliders are extremely sociable animals, and some people in Australia and other countries keep them as pets.

Topic: Meet 11 Weirdest Animals in Australia And Where To Find Them

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