Fascinating Fauna in Queensland
Why Choose Queensland?
With five of Australia’s 16 World Heritage listed areas, Queensland is ideal for exploring nature and discovering fascinating fauna. Habitat’s range from shrub-lands in western Queensland, to lush tropical rainforests in Queensland’s north, to dusty dry creek beds in Central Queensland. This diversity provides a home some of Queensland’s most interesting animals. Wildlife abounds in Queensland so it is an ideal destination to see it all.
Further Information visit www.queenslandholidays.com.au/natural-adventures
Bilby
Habitat & Distribution:
Bilbies prefer hot, dry areas and can be found in habitats such as hummock and tussock grasslands and acacia shrub lands in Queensland’s Outback. They live in burrows in clayey, rocky soils, which they dig up to three metres long and almost two metres deep. Queensland’s largest group of bilbies lives in one area west of the Diamantina River in the state’s far west.
Interesting Facts:
Bilbies are the only surviving species of bandicoot in arid Queensland. They live alone or in a pair, and move around depending on where they can find food.
Where you can find them:
Visitors can see bilbies at a bilby sanctuary in the Currawinya National Park 300km southwest of Charleville, or at the Queensland Park and Wildlife Centre in Charleville.
www.queenslandholidays.com.au/destinations/outback/places-to-visit/currawinya-national-park/
www.queenslandholidays.com.au/things-to-see-and-do/bilby-night-talk/index.cfm
Cassowary
Habitat & Distribution:
Cassowaries prefer rainforest habitats, however they are also found in mangroves, melaleuca swamps and even beaches. Cassowaries can either live on the Cape York Peninsula (northern cassowaries) or in the Wet Tropics bioregions (southern cassowaries).
Interesting Facts:
Adult cassowaries have a tall, brown casque on their heads which believed to protect their eyes from twigs and small leaves in the rainforest.
Where you can find them:
Mission Beach, Daintree Rainforest, Lake Eachem.
www.tropicalnorthqueensland.com.au
Eungella Torrent Frog
Habitat & Distribution:
These frogs inhabit exposed rocky sections near waterfalls, cascades, rainforest streams and riffles, particularly in the splash zones. They can also be found in more exposed areas or under rocks and in crevices. The distribution of the Eungella Torrent Frog is restricted to a small area of the Clarke Range in mid- east Queensland, between altitudes of 200-1000m.
Interesting Facts:
The Eungella Torrent Frog is the only species of frog in its family that is known to communicate by moving its body and limbs. Males have been observed flicking and waving their legs, bobbing their heads and hopping in a distinctive way – it is believed that these movements are a form of courtship. The Eungella Torrent Frog is considered critically endangered due to the species covering a total distribution of 10km².
Where you can find them:
The Eungella Torrent Frog is protected within natural resource reserves, such as Eungella National Park, Cathu State Forest and Eungella State Forest. With tracks of varying difficulty through the Mackay Highlands, visitors can explore the Eungella Torrent Frog natural habitat.
www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/great_walks/mackay_highlands/highlights/
Freshwater Crocodile
Habitat & Distribution:
Freshwater crocodiles are found in inland waters of northern Australia. Their preferred habitats include rivers, swamps and some tidal reaches, in particular in Cape York Peninsula and in areas bordering the Gulf of Carpentaria. Further distribution includes the upper Herbert River, the Ross River and the Burdekin River catchment.
Interesting Facts:
Distinguishing marks of a freshwater crocodile are its narrow snout, evenly shaped and sized needle-like teeth, and the row of four large scales on its neck immediately behind the head.
Where you can find them:
Crocodiles are potentially dangerous, and should never be approached in the wild. It is also vitally important to never take unnecessary risks in a crocodile habitat and to always be aware of your own personal safety. However there is a wide variety of controlled crocodile environments that allow visitors to view them.
Ghost Bat
Habitat & Distribution:
Ghost bats are found in tropical regions, along the central and northern coast of Queensland from Rockhampton to Cape York. They live in caves in rainforests, monsoon and vine scrubs, and open woodlands in arid areas.
Interesting Facts:
Ghost bats are the largest species of carnivorous micro-bats in Australia. They are easily identified by their size, including their large ears and eyes.
Where you can find them:
The Capricorn Caves, 25 minutes drive north of Rockhampton.
Platypus
Habitat & Distribution:
The platypus is a semi-aquatic animal and can be found in freshwater waterways in eastern Australia, such as creeks and slow-moving rivers, as well as some lakes and dams. In Queensland, the platypus generally lives in rivers east of the Great Dividing Range but can also be found in some western-flowing streams. The platypus lives alone in simple burrows in river banks, just above water level and often among tree roots.
Interesting Facts:
The platypus is a very unique creature, one of only three existing monotremes. They have a soft, rubber-like bill, thick, dark brown fur, a broad, flat tail, and short, stout legs with webbed feet. Males have sharp spurs on each ankle which are connected to a venom gland in each thigh.
Where you can find them:
Platypus can be spotted in freshwater waterways near Yungaburra, Eungella and Canungra. Broken River Mountain Retreat, is the most reliable place on the planet to see a platypus in their natural habitat.
Striped Possum
Habitat & Distribution:
The striped possum can be found in the Wet Tropics region of north Queensland, in both upland and lowland forests. Striped possums are nocturnal, and during the day they snooze in beds of leaves inside tree hollows or clumps of ferns.
Interesting Facts:
The striped possum has striking black and white markings along its body to the white tip of its tail. These possums will bite into falling logs to find grubs and insects to feed on. Striped possums are usually seen alone or with their young.
Where you can find them:
Clump Mountain National Park at Mission Beach, as well as in Mount Hypipamee National Park at Atherton.
