Australia is known as a land of plenty, and by plenty, we mean plenty of exotic, fascinating animals that are sure to turn your trip into a memorable one. Curious what fascinating wildlife you’re most likely to encounter during your trip to Australia? Look no further, because here, we’ve compiled only the most interesting animals for you to learn about.
Keep in mind that, while encountering a wild animal might be something to write home about, you should always keep your distance, and prioritize your own safety. If you encounter a potentially dangerous animal while in Australia, you should hire a professional at wildliferemovalaustralia.com.
1. Wild sea lions
Also referred to as Australian sea lions, these fascinating creatures live in places like Kangaroo Island (which houses one of the largest wild sea lion colonies on the continent). Despite the “wild” in their name, sea lions actually tend to be really peaceful. They have a low aggressiveness level, so you and your family will be able to admire them safely.
2. Kangaroos
Of course, how can we even pretend to talk about Australia without at least mentioning kangaroos? Truth is, a kangaroo is a pretty common sight in most of Australia, though there are some places, like Pebbly Beach, which allow you to get up close to the animals. While kangaroos are generally less aggressive than we make them out to be, it’s still a good idea to keep your wits about them. A kangaroo attack is pretty rare, but can prove fatal, considering the kangaroo’s unusually large size and strength.
3. Wombats
The wild wombat is another Australian staple, and is the world’s largest burrowing mammal that we know of. Typically, these chubby little fur-balls can be found kicking up dirt in the wild, and aren’t overly shy of humans. The wombat is Australia’s second largest marsupial (we’ll let you guess the first one), and can reach quite impressive speeds (up to 25 miles an hour).
4. Tasmanian Devils
Tasmanian devils, as the name suggests, are localized to Tasmania (an Australian state). However, you can occasionally encounter them on mainland Australia, at special parks and natural reservations, where they have been especially imported. In spite of their name, Tasmanian devils are not dangerous for humans. Interestingly enough, the small carnivorous marsupial got its name from early European settlers. Terrified by the unnatural screams and piercing shrieks they heard during the night, the settlers went out to investigate, and dubbed whatever was causing them “the Devil”. As it turned out, these little, endangered marsupials were to blame.
5. Koalas
Oh, who goes to Australia and doesn’t want to meet a koala? These furry, herbivorous marsupials have fascinated people for generations, so it’s natural that, on your upcoming trip, you’re dying to meet one. One misconception about koalas (perpetuated, largely, by their adorable appearance) is that you can just wander up to them and start petting them. While we understand the temptation, bear in mind that the koala is still, at the end of the day, a wild animal, and may interpret your attempts at petting as aggression.
6. Wild rabbits
You might’ve heard it said that Australia has a genuine rabbit problem. But why is that? See, European rabbits were first introduced in Australia with the first settlers, and for good reason. However, the rabbit population has grown so rapidly that it’s not considered an invasive species, responsible for serious amounts of damage to crops.
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