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Diabetic Diet & Supplies

 
Ted Fischer's Australia

The information on this site is accurate, to my knowledge, sourced from the books available in the Murray Bridge library
If you find any information not to be accurate, please email me and the appropriate changes will be made

Email..sir_alfred@iprimus.com.au


I would like to thank my darling wife Sue (Sinders) for her help with all the research, typing and proof-reading.

Contents
 
Animals
  
Birds
  
Reptiles
    		•   
    Cities




    • Budgerigar

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    Cassowary
    The Cassowary is a large flightless bird.
    The female is more vividly coloured around the head and neck than the male and she is totally dominant, remaining solitary for most of the year.
    At mating time she builds a nest, a simple scrape on the forest floor, lined with leaves and grass. After mating she usually lays 4 eggs, then wanders off, her job done!.
    The male then spends about 2 months incubating the eggs, seldom leaving the nest, not even to eat.
    The striped downy young are led by their father and helped to feed for about 9 months, then they are chased away to fend for themselves, as it is time for the adult male to find a mate again.
    The shiny black plumage and horny head-blade of an adult takes about three years to develop fully.
    The blade is used to butt through vine thicket and shrubbery.
    Fallen fruits make up most of the diet but they are not averse to fungi, insects and snails and even the carrion of dead birds and mammals.
    Cassowaries are found in lowland rainforest between Townsville and Cape York, in Queensland.


    The Cassowary is found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.






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    Dingo

     Picture of Dingo
    Although the Dingo is descended from Asian Wild Dogs, it is believed to have been in Australia now for about 4,000 years.
    The young male Dingo forages and hunts alone, covering many miles in one night, although they do sometimess live and hunt in family packs.
    Feasting on whatever is caught, rabbits, small marsupials, reptiles, birds and sometimes domestic stock.
    Size and appearance is similar to the medium domestic dog. It is unable to bark, being only able to make a high pitched yelping sound, sometimes sounding a bit like a child from a distance.
    A litter of 3 - 5 young is suckled for about 8 weeks but stay with their parents for up to 1 year.
    At some locations, tourists are feeding the Dingo. This is creating problems because these are wild animals and it is altering their behaviour in a dangerous way.




    The Dingo is found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.




    Dingo Hab Map Picture


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    Echidna

     Picture of Echidna
    The Echidna is a small mammal, only growing 11 to 18 inches long. It leads a solitary existence, except for mating time.
    In addition to normal hair, they have a number of special hairs on the sides and back which are modified to form sharp spines.
    The snout and protrusible tongue are both used in feeding, eating mainly termites and ants, some insect larvae is also eaten.
    Termite mounds and Ant galleries are torn apart with strong front claws, and using their long sticky tongue, they collect their food.
    During the breeding season, the female develops a pouch, into which she lays 1 soft shelled egg, after about 10 days the young hatches and is then suckled, (within the pouch) for around 9 weeks.
    When the young starts to develop spines, it is out of the pouch, ( I personally don't wonder why ) and mum continues to feed it until age 6 months.
    The male Echidna also retains a spur (not venomous ) on it’s rear-ankle.
    The Echidna is Australia’s most widespread mammal, it thrives wherever termites or ants are abundant, from wet forests to parched sandplains, and it withstands the greatest extremes of temperature.

    The Echidna is found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.




    Hab Map Picture


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    Golden Bandicoote

    The Golden Bandicoot is not a well known animal, yet it once covered half of the Australian continent.
    It is now confined to three locations: Arnhem Land, North Kimberly and 3 Islands off the Pilbara Coast (including Barrow Island).
    One of the effects of habitat fragmentation and isolation is the accumulation of different genetic changes with-in the separated populations leading (in time) to the evolution of a different sub-species.
    For the Bandicoot the Island population is now regarded as a separate sub-species to the one on the mainland.
    Both sub-species are regarded as being in danger of becoming very vulnerable to becoming extinct.


    Golden Bandicoot are found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.






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    Greater Glider

    Picture of Glider Greater Glider
    Although the biggest of the gliders, it is only about the size of a domestic cat.
    The young are born singularly and spend 3 to 4 months in the mothers pouch, then some will travel on the mothers back for a further 3 months until they are weaned.
    They begin a solitary existence at 9 months of age.
    Greater Gliders sleep all day in lofty, leaf padded hollows.
    At night-fall the Greater Glider jumps and glides from tree to tree, finding their favourite Eucalypts (Gum Tree Leaves).
    It is a fussy eater and chooses only 1 or 2 species.

    The Greater Glider is found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.




    Habitat map


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    Hare Wallaby

     Picture of Hare Wallaby
    The Hare Wallaby is the smallest of the Kangaroo family and are night feeders.
    They are the size of an average hare and are very athletic. Despite this, only 3 species survive, since the introduction of cats and foxes.
    The Rufous Hare Wallaby, can be found amongst the termite mounds and shrubs of the Tanami Desert in the Northern Territory.
    The Banded Hare Wallaby, now only survive in Acacia Scrub on Bernier and Dorre Islands, in Shark Bay, off the Western Australian coast.
    The Spectacled Hare Wallaby, can be found in open forests and grazing land on Barrow Island and in Queensland. This species is stocky with Orange Rings circling the eyes and short ears.
    All species selectively browse shrubs and leaves and graze a little grass.
    The Rufous and Spectacled species particularly like the succulent tips of Spinifex Grass.
    Their breeding system is much like the Kangaroo, continuous while food supplies are good.
    As food supply dwindles, the female Wallaby can hold the current fertilized egg on delay until the food situation improves.
    The young Wallaby leaves the pouch at about 8 months and matures at about 18 months of age.




    Hare Wallaby are found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.




    Hare Wallaby HabMap


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    Honey Possum

     Picture of Honey Possum
    Many people may like to see particular species saved from extinction, ecologically it is more important to save the relationships that have evolved over the years between certain species and their environment.
    This is demonstrated by the Honey Possum.
    It is one of the few truly nectar-dependant mammals that depends on such plants as the Banksia, Grevillea, Dryandra and Bottlebrush.
    In moving from flower to flower it has become an important pollinator for them.
    Protecting the Honey Possum not only saves one species, but also many plant species that depend on the Honey Possum as a pollinator.

    Honey Possum are found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.




    Habitat Map


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    Kangaroo
    The Kangaroo is a marsupial, native to Australia. It lives in mobs of about 100, containing 1 Dominant adult male. The adult Kangaroo stands a good 6 ft. tall.
    They graze mainly on grass ( competing with sheep and cattle ) and on the crops sown by farmers, thus becoming a pest.
    In times of drought they will devour small trees and the bark off grown trees, in effect ring-barking and killing them.
    The female Kangaroo gives birth to a partly-developed embryo, about the size of a string bean.
    Using the tiny forepaws it drags itself through the mothers dense belly fur, along a trail the mother has licked on her abdomen, it reaches the pouch and starts to suckle.
    The Kangaroo baby is called a Joey.
    The Joey will be about 11 months old before it needs to vacate the pouch, at this time the mother is ready to give birth again. When food is abundant the Kangaroo will breed continously, often producing 3 young in 2 years.
    The 11 month old Joey is now grazing with mum and sleeping out, but it is still allowed to suckle, occasionally for 6 months more.


    The Kangaroo is found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.






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    Kookaburra

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    Koala
    The Koala is not a bear, it is in fact a marsupial,suckling their young for about 6 months, then carrying them around on their back for a while longer.
    Despite claims that the Koala is threatened as a species, this is not so.
    For the past one hundred years its numbers have in fact increased in certain areas of Australia.
    Many areas of Koalas have in recent times declined because of hunting, and forest clearing reducing the prefered type of gum leaves, and of course fragmentation of their habitat, isolating areas of Koalas.
    In areas of Queensland and New South Wales what suitable habitat remains is in tiny parcels (or pockets of habitat) and the Koala is locally endangered.
    In Victoria and South Australia where there are some large areas of suitable habitats their numbers are increasing to the point that consideration is being given to culling them.
    The Koala mostly feeds on one species of Gum leaf, their preference is the Eucalyptus.
    However there are some very small groups of Koalas that have (out of necessity) adapted their taste.
    In some areas, Koalas are in such numbers that they are a threat to some native species and ecosystems.

    Koala are found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.



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    Numbat

     Picture of Numbat

    The Numbat is another which has come incredibly close to extinction, with Foxes, Cats and Dingoes playing their part, also the fragmentation of their habitat for agricultural purposes.

    Isolated populations have found nowhere to go after bushfires. The Numbat eats only termites, with it’s fast-flicking tongue ( sticky, cylindrical, and half as long as the animal’s body ) drawing up the insects.
    On a good day one Numbat may eat 20,000 termites, swallowed whole, most are taken from the soft nests in hollowed-out branches of tree-dwelling species, after limbs have fallen to the ground.
    Numbats are not able to break into the hard termite nests but they sniff out the shallow runways and scratch away the leaf litter and stones that cover them.
    Some Numbats sleep in hollow logs, but a burrow is also dug to accommodate a nesting chamber, scattered with leaves.
    Babies are born in late summer, are suckled and when weaned they go out to feed with mum, riding on her back for a few weeks.
    Then at about 8 months of age, they wander away to find their own feeding ranges during summer.
    Numbats can be found near Perth in Western Australia, however, under close Nationl Park protection, they have been re-introduced to some western parts of mulga scrub.

    The Numbat is found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.




    Hab Map Picture


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    Platypus

    This is a small amphibious animal, living a solitary life, until mating time. The female usually growing to about 18 inches and the male to about 24 inches in length.
    It has a pliable duck-like bill, which has horny grinding pads instead of teeth, thick fur, and strongly webbed forefeet.
    Living in streams, rivers and lakes, they dive for insect larvae, water snails and small crustaceans..
    When out of the water the Platypus occupies a burrow, dug into the river bank.
    The female lays usually 2 soft shelled eggs, incubating them for about 10 days.
    The young are then suckled for 3 - 4 months, before coming out of their burrow.
    Venomous rear-ankle spurs are to be found, predominantly on the males.

    The Platypus is found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.





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    Red-Tailed Phascogale

    The Red tailed Phascogale is endangered
    Once it was found across most of Australia in the arid and semi-arid parts of Australia, it is now confined to a small area of bushland, in the wheatbelt of Western Australia.
    Its habitat has been fragmented by fire and invaded by cats and foxes.
    The Red-tailed Phascogale appears to be most common in areas that have not been ravaged by fire for many years, or invaded by cats and foxes, also in the areas that have dense vegetation foliage which allows the animal to cover considerable distances while remaining protected and hidden in the canopy
    Knowing these requirements is crucial for the enlarging and reconnection of the fragmented habitat.

    The Red-Tailed Phascogale is found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.





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    Rock Wallaby

    The Rock Wallaby are similar in size of a medium dog.
    As their name suggests, they live amongst the rockiest parts of Australia. Having strong hind legs, with short claws and tough pads, this allows it to bound and leap, quite gracefully among the rocky outcrops it inhabits.
    Chosing the coolest parts of the day to feed, they sometimes need to travel long distances to find their preferred grasses. During hotter weather when grasses are not readily available, they happily eat the low growing tree leaves, bark and roots.
    Mountain Goats are easily able to travel amongs the rocks also, causing much competition for food.
    Their breeding system is much like the Kangaroo, continuous while food supplies are good.
    As food supply dwindles, the female Wallaby can hold the current fertilized egg on delay until the food situation improves.
    The young Wallaby leaves the pouch at about 5 months and matures at about 1 year of age.




    The Rock Wallaby is found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.





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    Spotted-tailed Quoll
    Large carnivores like the Spotted-tailed quoll are very much threatened by habitat fragmentation and loss
    As their prey declines with land clearance, it forces them to travel much further in their quest for nesting sites and prey, increasing their chances of being killed by foxes and dogs
    This member of the Quoll family is the largest and the best climber.
    It has enlarged great toes on its hind feet and ridged pads on all paws.
    Road mortality can also be a significant threat, where high speed roads pass through good habitat, especially as the quoll is attracted to feed on the remains of the road killed animals
    On the South-eastern side of Australia they are presently rated as vulnerable.

    The Spotted-tailed Quoll is found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.





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    Squirrel Glider

    The Squirrel Glider is a beautiful animal.
    As with many other animals it would appear that its actual distribution has not changed over the years.
    How ever its population has become increasingly fragmented and it is now declining in areas that are mainly used for pastoral or agricultural land use.
    This is largely because of the ongoing removal of fauna and trees for timber and firewood, there is little regeneration because of the grazing stock on this land.
    The lack of tree hollows in these areas is a problem for the Squirrel Glider as they are much needed for their nesting and breeding cycle.
    The Squirrel Glider could well become threatened.
    If enlarging and the rejoining of the fragmented areas was permitted I am sure the Squirrel Glider could become a flag ship species, as it is a very beautiful animal.
    Squirrel Gliders are found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.





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    Water Rat

    The Water Rat is the biggest of native or introduced rats, reaching the size of a rabbit or a domestic cat.
    The broad, paddle-shaped hind feet are partially webbed and the tail is flattened to aid steering.
    Burrows for resting and maternal nesting are tunneled into banks.
    Maturing at about 8 months, the Water Rat usually has 2 litters of 3 or 4 young in one season.
    The young are suckled for about 4 weeks, then share their mother’s prey for a further 4 weeks.
    The Water Rat is among the most versatile of flesh-eaters, dining on duckling, fish, frogs and turtle, for snacks they take aquatic snails and bugs.
    On land they eat lizards, small mammals and crawling insects, and even raid birds’ nests for eggs and nestlings.
    Some Water Rats even hunt on sheltered ocean beaches, their favourite being mussels, easily cracked with their teeth, but sometimes left in the sun to open, as the shellfish die.
    This species can be found around permanent bodies of water all over the country.
    This species of Water Rat is unique to Australia.



    The Water Rat is found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.





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    Wombat

    Wombat, is the common name for three species of burrowing marsupial.
    They are the Common Wombat.
    Hairy Nosed Wombat. (pictured)
    The Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat.
    The wombat is strong and heavily built, with short, powerful legs and strong claws that are used to dig burrows and search for suitable plants and roots to eat.
    By day Wombats sleep in their burrow.
    Emerging from the burrows at night to feed.
    The teeth of the Wombat are of continuous growth and a single pair of chisel like incissors are found in each jaw.
    Young Wombats are born one at a time during the wet season (Nov - Apr), and each is carried in its mother's pouch for 6 to 9 months.
    They leave their mother at about 12 months.
    The Common Wombat, of Southern Australia is the largest, reaching a maximum length of about 91 cm (about 36 in). It is tail-less and stocky, and its thick, coarse fur varies in color from yellow to black.
    The two species of hairy-nosed wombats differ from the common wombat species in having longer, pointed ears, a hairy muzzle, and soft, silky fur.
    Females are usually slightly heavier than males.
    The curious name (Northern Hairy Nosed Wombat) comes from its distinctive muzzle which is covered with short brown hairs.
    Its fur is soft, silky, and mainly brown, mottled with grey, fawn and black.
    They have a broad head with black patches around their eyes.
    The ears are long and slightly pointed with tufts of white hair on the edges.
    Although mostly solitary, Wombats often share burrows.

    Wombat are found in the areas in the shaded part of the map at the bottom of the page.





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    Created: December 2004
    WebMaster: Ted Fischer.
    Email..sir_alfred@iprimus.com.au