Australian Outback Animals

Animals in the Outback of Australia

Other then the millions of flies that you will inevitably encounter during the summer months in the outback of Australia, There is a large range of native and introduced wildlife. Unlike  deserts elsewhere, the Australian deserts produce a lot of ground cover, mainly saltbush and spinifex. This ground cover provides habitat and feed for many types of wildlife.

Two of the most likely animals that survive in the outback are on the Australian Coat of Arms, they are the emu and the kangaroo. Kangaroos can be found all over Australia mainly coloured red or grey. Other marsupials that are related to, and look like, the kangaroo, including wallabies and pademelons, which are smaller than the kangaroo and are becoming endangered. One animal that stands above these is the emu. With their very fast run and known violent behaviour towards humans, means that we leave them alone where possible.

Another native animal that is well known is the dingo. It is a wild dog that lives mainly in the remote northern and central areas of Australia. The dingo has been linked to the extinction of other Australian animals, like the Tasmanian Devil, because of its particular hunting habits, as it likes larger prey.

Who can forget about the cuddly koala, without the "bear" part. Found on the eastern coast and in inland woodlands (on the edge of the outback), near their food source, the eucalyptus trees. As cute as they may be they do have a violent streak. They spend most of their day eating and chewing, and when this is interupted they will use their powerful teeth and jaws on humans.

Other common animals that you might spot in the Australian outback include snakes and lizards; you will hear the kookaburras, galahs, cockatoos and corollas, that will squark from the tree tops; and the salt and freshwater crocodiles and alligators, but only in the Northern area of Australia.

Unfortunately, with the landing of White man to the Australian shore, also brought the arrival of imported species, including foxes, cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, pigs and camels, all of which have adapted to survive in the harsh Australian outback. These imported animals destroy the habitat and feed of the native animals.