Animal Kingdom: Introduction
Australia is home to a host of endemic wildlife, that is, animals that occur only in one area.
This includes the native marsupials, such as the kangaroos, wallaroos and possums. The females of these species carry and nurse their infant young in pouches.
The country's rain forests provide habitat for various parrots and cockatoos, as well as birds of prey, such as the kite. The coasts are home to pelicans and other sea-loving birds, while ducks can be found throughout much of the country. The kookaburra, for its part, is a well-known member of the kingfisher family that can be found in Australia (including Tasmania) and New Guinea. Flightless birds found in Oz include the emu and the colorful cassowary.
The country's lizards include smaller species and the infamous crocodiles (both the relatively inoffensive fresh water crocodile and the aggressive, man-eating salt water, or estuarine, crocodile). Australia also boasts several species of pythons and various venomous snakes.
Australia's coastal waters are home to countless fish, several sharks and even sea turtles.
The following photographs should provide you with an introduction to the wonderful animal kingdom found in Oz.