Fun Trivia » Animals » Animals by Region » Australia

The black flying fox (Pteropus Alecto) is one of Australia's largest bats. It is also known as the black fruit bat. Although its size is limited to about 16cm (6.5 inch), its wingspan can reach a full metre (more than a yard).

The black flying fox feeds on pollen and nectar and occasionally also fruits such as apples or mangos. They live all over the northern shores of Australia, as well as in Indonesia and the south of Papua New Guinea.

A typical Australian carnivore is the dingo, related to wild dogs. The Australian snubfin dolphin is a typically Australian species of dolphin, living near the northern shores. An example of a native Australian rodent is the western chestnut mouse.?
Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

Rodent, Carnivore, Dolphin

Now confined only to the island state of Tasmania, the Tassie Devil only behaves aggressively when threatened. Oh, and when devouring its dinner. They feed on frogs, birds, smaller mammals, fish and insects. They are also happy to feast as a group on roadkill.

They are in danger due to a rare contagious cancer called devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). One species that has been unaffected has been isolated in order to allow breeding of untainted offspring. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

Quokkas, Quandong, Tiger snake

Koalas live in tall, eucalyptus forests. The only states where you would find koalas naturally in the wild are Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia. Koalas are mostly nocturnal and often sleep 18-20 hours per day. A baby koala is called a joey. The joey stays in its mother's pouch for about six or seven months and drinks only milk during this time. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

Platypus, Echidna, Kangaroo

Dingoes are able to live on many different terrains. They are commonly associated with desert lands but they also live in wetlands, forests and even colder habitats. Dingoes live more populously in areas where cattle raising is heaviest. In fact, the dispersal of dingoes within Australia is almost perfectly aligned with where the most cattle are raised. Dingoes typically prey on cattle and sheep but have also been known to fish. Because of their predatory tendencies, farmers and ranchers in the Outback often hunt dingoes to keep them away from their herds. Dingoes may also be poisoned and dead dingoes are sometimes hung on fences as a further deterrence. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Tourism, Ship building, Cotton

Marsupials carry their young in a pouch for some of their gestation periods. Most Australian mammals are also marsupials, and marsupials are generally found in the Australasian region.

Kangaroos are tiny when they are born, about the size of a jellybean. They normally remain in the pouch except for small periods until around nine months of age. Kangaroos also possess the ability to diapause or suspend the development of pregnancy during times of drought and poor food or water supply. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

They are Australian, They are brown, They lay eggs

A shipment of around 100 cane toads arrived in Queensland in June, 1935. These toads were bred to increase their numbers and eventually more than 3000 of them were released in northern Queensland. The cane toad spread rapidly and is now found across a broad swathe of Australia, ranging from Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory to northern New South Wales. Difficulty: Hard.

 

New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia

Found only in Victoria and Western Australia, I am a small marsupial measuring around 24 cm from nose to tail. I am a very good climber, but find most of my food, small birds, mice and insects, on the ground, and I don't drink, I get all the moisture I need from my food! Difficulty: Hard.

 

Pygmy possum, Pademelon, Quokka

Red-back spiders are found throughout the warmer parts of the world including Europe, North America, New Zealand and Australia. Only the female is dangerous. They can cause serious illness and even death. However, no deaths have been reported since the introduction of anti-venom. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Katipo spider, Hourglass spider, Botton spider

The reason that these 2 animals were chosen is because neither of them can walk backwards. Hence on the Coat of Arms they are both facing each other depicting a nation that ONLY goes forwards and never backwards. Difficulty: Easy.

 

Wombat and Lyrebird, Koala and Dingo, Kangaroo and Numbat

The emu is a flightless bird that can reach up to six feet (183 cm) in height, due in part to its long thin legs. Though the emu cannot fly, it can run at speeds up to 30 mph just under 50 kph). They are relatively common in the wild in Australia. Emus are most active during the day and have a fairly varied diet including insects, grasses, and leaves.

The ostrich is typically seen in Africa in the wild. The kiwi would be found in the wild in New Zealand. The moa is an extinct flightless bird. Difficulty: Easy.

 

Kiwi, Moa, Ostrich

The honey possum has a prehensile tail, and is famous for its long snout; the genus name, rostratus, means "beaked" in Latin. Its feeding behaviour is a little like the hummingbird, as its tongue moves rapidly in and out of its mouth, at about three times a second. The animal is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia, and is a talisman animal for some of the traditional owners of that area. They are nocturnal, and feed on flora endemic to the area, namely banksias, bottlebrushes, heaths, grass trees and kangaroo paws. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

Hooded owl, Wallaby, Wombat

There are four kangaroo species: the red, antilopine, eastern grey, and western grey kangaroo. Kangaroos are the national symbol of Australia and appear on postage stamps, coins, and aircraft. The sex of offspring can be determined by the female. When scared, young kangaroos (joeys) sometimes jump head first into their mother's pouch. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

Bilby, Wombat, Quokka

Brumbies are descendants of horses brought to Australia from Europe. Horses are not normally endemic to Australia. Brumbies, although feral, have been known to be helpful to humans and are sometimes kept as pets and work horses. They are also common sights in horse and pony shows. Brumbies live all over Australia but are more common in the Northern Territory, in areas where the Outback is not as harsh and unforgiving. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

Grumbies, Mustangs, Ponies

Quolls range from quite small, around 300g to large, around 7 kg. When giving birth, quolls may have up to 18 puppies, but only 6 survive to be suckled.

Marsupials are a class of mammals within the animal kingdom. As well as giving birth to live young, marsupials carry their young within a pouch. Monotremes are a separate, specialist category of mammals. There are only two known living species in the world of monotremes.

Many Australian mammals are also marsupials, including koalas, kangaroos and possums. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

Possums, Koalas, Kangaroos

Males reach sexual maturity at two years of age. Females mature a little earlier. Adverse conditions such as drought may delay sexual maturity. Difficulty: Hard.

 

six years, twelve years, eight years

At the cusp of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, there were only about two fatalities a year due to shark attacks in Australia. Did you know that over 70% of people attacked by sharks live to tell the tale? True.

Sometimes it is impossible to know which type of shark is responsible for an attack (especially in fatalities where the body is not recovered), and that is one reason for some disagreement between authorities. But most agree that the bull shark is more dangerous to humans than any other shark.

Bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) are omnivorous; they will eat anything. They are also one of the only sharks that can live for long periods in fresh water. They have been recorded 4000 km away from the ocean in the Amazon River system, and Lake Nicaragua, Central America, is a known breeding ground. This is a fish that hangs out in murky, fresh water, rivers and lakes... just where humans enjoy a good swim. Unfortunately, these sharks enjoy a good human, and they don't need fava beans and a nice Chianti... Difficulty: Hard.

 

Tiger shark, White pointer shark (called the great white shark in the U.S.), Nurse shark

They were considered the right whales to be sold at market, due to the high percentage oil they contain, as well as the fact that they float when dead, making it easier for whalers to locate. Calving mother *do* swim up to beaches to give birth, and sadly, whale do sometimes beach themselves, for reasons unknown. Difficulty: Hard.

 

They swim anticlockwise, Their right fin is bigger than the left one, They swim right up to the beach

Cane toads are native to the southern United States and tropical regions of South America. The cane toads introduced to Australia were shipped to the country from Hawaii. Cane toads can live in a variety of environments from sand dunes to the outskirts of tropical forests and mangroves. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Antarctica

The box jellyfish is found in northern Australia where it feeds on small fish and crustaceans. It has up to 5000 stinging cells and if stung you have virtually no chance of survival unless treated immediately. Because the pain is so bad, you are more likely to go into shock and drown before reaching the shore.

There are other types of box jellyfish, but the one to avoid is found in various areas of the Indo-Pacific area, not just off the coast of Australia. Difficulty: Average.

 

Lion's mane jellyfish, Bell jellyfish, Sea nettle jellyfish

Echidnas are found in grassy and woodland areas with soft soil. They can live in habitats ranging from snow to deserts. If the weather is wet or cold, the echidna will go into a state of torpor and can go without food in that time for 10 to 12 days. When an echidna is scared, it will roll into a ball and reveal only spines. Using its hind legs, it can tip over stones that weigh twice as much as it does. The echidna is depicted on the 5 cent coin. Difficulty: Average.

 

Hedgehog, Anteater, Porcupine

The laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) is an Australian kingfisher. But unlike most kingfishers, it doesn't hunt for fish and crustaceans but for terrestrial animals: small mammals such as mice, small lizards, small snakes (their favourite food), worms and insects.

The laughing kookaburra is about 44cm (17.5 inch) long, with dark brown plumage (spotted in blue) on the back and creamy white undersides. It lives a monogamous life in the eastern part of Australia. The name is derived from their call, which they usually indulge in with the whole family.

The "Australian seven-course meal" is of course a joke: it consists of six pints of ale and a meat pie. This would not be suitable for wild animals (and is also rather unhealthy for humans), because of the high alcohol content.
Difficulty: Hard.

 

Small fish and crustaceans, Fruits, leaves and nectar, An Australian seven-course meal

Distributed along a vast part of the coast of the eastern states, the yellow-bellied glider is about the size of a rabbit. The young of the species are cared for by both parents in the den for several months before they are weaned and sent off into the wide world. Their habitat is classified as "at risk" due to the removal of old nest trees, but the animals themselves are not threatened because of their wide distribution. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Yass bandicoot, Squirrel glider, Sugar glider

Echidnas are also called spiny anteaters. Their spines are modified hairs. They prefer alpine meadows, coastal forests and interior deserts. Echidnas only eat termites, ants and other soil invertebrates. They typically breed between July and August. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

Dingo, Toad, Wombat

Platypus venom is not lethal to humans but is known to cause excruciating pain. Fortunately, getting stung by a platypus is an unlikely event for most people, as they are reclusive creatures. The males only produce venom during the breeding season and seem to use it in fights with each other rather than to defend against predators. Difficulty: Average.

 

Echidna, Koala, Kangaroo

Like a number of Outback animals, the bilby can obtain enough water from its diet of seeds, fruits and small insects. Water sources are extremely rare in the Outback so this is a necessity. The bilby also keeps cool by burrowing under the ground which has the added benefit of protecting it from predators. Difficulty: Hard.

 

From underwater springs, By drinking its own urine, The bilby does not need water at all

The male platypus has a venomous spur on its hind leg which administers a painful sting. When the first specimens of platypuses (no agreement has been reached on how to spell the plural) reached Europe, many naturalists thought that it was a joke or prank animal.

There are only two monotremes (egg-bearing mammals) both of whom are native to Australia.

The other options are all well known Australian mammals and marsupials. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

Koala, Wombat, Wallaby

Baby kangaroos are called joeys. When a joey is born, it climbs from the birth canal all the way through its mother's thick fur to the pouch on her abdomen, where it will stay for another 190 days. Let's keep in mind that this is a big journey for a baby that is blind, hairless and no bigger than a jellybean.

Difficulty: Hard.

 

sixty three days, ninety three days, one hundred and twenty three days

Bufo americanus is the American toad, Bufo terrestris is the southern toad and Bufo biporcatus is the Indonesian toad. Cane toads can range in colour from grey to reddish-brown, with paler-coloured undersides. They are a large species, with adults able to reach sizes of up to 15 cm. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Bufo americanus, Bufo terrestris, Bufo biporcatus

The taipan is a very highly venomous snake producing approximately 120 mg of venom. A maximum of 400 mg has been recorded, about 50 times more than a cobra. If you are unfortunate enough to be bitten, you will be bitten more than once. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Cobra, Tiger snake, Brown snake

The Echidna's spikes are used as protection from predators. Its short sturdy legs and strong claws enable it to burrow beneath the soil as well as a tool for searching out its food of termites and ants. Difficulty: Average.

 

Hedgehog, Houndhog, Echinacea

The Australasian shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis rhynchotis) is a species of duck living in the southern parts of Australia, in swamp areas with lots of plants. A similar subspecies lives in New Zealand. As a duck, it belongs of course to the waterfowl family, together with geese and swans.
The Australasian shoveler reaches a length of about 50cm (almost 20 inches). It has a mainly brown plumage, while the males have blue-grey heads.

Australian owls include the Christmas Island boobook. The Australian hobby is one of the native falcons. And as for the hundreds of songbirds native to Australia, I'll mention just the superb lyrebird - one of the largest songbirds, and with a fascinating courtship dance.
Difficulty: Easy.

 

Falcon (Falconidae), Songbird (Passeriformes), Owl (Strigiformes)

All species of native Australian amphibians are members of the order Anura and are therefore frogs. Climate plays an important role in how the various species are introduced. Several species going extinct led to increased efforts of conservation beginning in the 1980s. Frogs are more commonly found closer to the coast as opposed to the drier interior.

Perhaps the best known amphibian in Australia, the cane toad, was introduced by humans in the 1930s to combat pests. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Toads, Newts, Salamanders

In common with many small Australian native animals, the introduction of foxes and cats had a devastating effect on these creatures. They were also vulnerable to being the prey of dingos. Its habitat was spinifex and cane grass on dunes and sandy plains in northeast South Australia and adjoining southeast Northern Territory. It also lived in the Gibson and Great Sandy Deserts of Western Australia, adjoining the Northern Territory. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Lyre Bird, Numbat, Quoll

Platypuses can be found in habitats ranging from cold highlands to tropical rainforests. Platypuses are carnivores; they eat worms, shrimp, crayfish, and larvae of insects. They live, sleep, and give birth within tunnels in the riverbank. Platypuses breed between June and October.

Platypuses have no teats. The mother platypus oozes milk from glands on her abdomen and, rather than feeding on teats, the babies suck the milk from her fur. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

Wombat, Sugar Glider, Bettong

The perentie is a kind of lizard that is one of the largest in the world. It is sometimes confused for a crocodile given its shape and color. Perenties live primarily in the Australian Outback near loose rocks and soil. They spend the majority of their time underground which means they are very rarely seen. Perenties carry a mild venom that can cause swelling and pain but is rarely lethal to humans. The perentie is probably best known for being used in medicines by ancient Aborigines. Difficulty: Easy.

 

Bird, Fish, Cat

The echidna is named after a Greek mythological creature believed to be half-woman, half-snake. After a young echidna is hatched, it lives in its mother's pouch for several months, much like members of the marsupial family.

The echidna has been described as looking like a porcupine or hedgehog. Difficulty: Very Easy.

 

Elephant, Egg layer, Porcupine

Male red kangaroos are much larger than the females, standing roughly two metres tall, 2.8 metres long and weighing up to 90kg. Females stand between one and 1.5 metres tall, measure 1.9 metres long and weigh roughly 40kg.

There's also a difference in fur colour. Males are pale or brick red while females are bluish-grey. Difficulty: Average.

 

tail length, they have different shaped ears, there are no differences

If we go for a picnic a little way past the city environs, we often see kookaburras. If you hold out food (raw meat is best, though they prefer mice or snakes!) they will sometimes swoop down and snatch it from you and keep flying past you up to the nearest tree. They often make sure what you've given them is dead by thrashing it against the tree branch. It's great to watch! Difficulty: Easy.

 

koala, wombat, All of the above

Cane toads are generally nocturnal. When the weather is cold and/or dry, they prefer to find shelter, which they are able to dig for themselves if necessary. They are a hardy species, and can tolerate a temperature range of 5-40 degrees Centigrade. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Between 6am and 10am., All day., Late afternoon.

The placid, ambling wombat can display a devastatingly bad temper. With extremely powerful jaws and perpetually growing teeth encased in a body that is a solid ball of muscle, a wombat is strong enough to knock over a human and inflict terrible flesh wounds. Difficulty: Hard.

 

Tiger Cat, Emu, Tasmanian Tiger