The fauna of Australia: the wonders of nature

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One of the most unusual and exotic corners of our planet, many travelers are rightly considered Australia.It is not just that the night sky is not the Big Dipper, and the water in the sink drain when turned in the opposite direction.Just in the territory of the original country can find such curiosities that are not at any point of the globe.No exception and fauna of Australia.

Australian animals are truly unique.Among their representatives, you will not find the usual thick-skinned mammals, monkeys, or ruminant animals.Virtually the entire fauna of Australia is different ancient origins.Some species (eg, such as a dog or a dingo short-beaked echidna), more than 12 thousand. Years.But such an animal as the platypus still is a biological enigma for scientists from around the world.

Fauna Australia - is mostly marsupials: the constant symbol of the continent, which is immortalized in the coat of arms of the country - the kangaroo, teddy bear koala, who admired both children and adults, marsupials flying squirrels, tiny gliders, clumsywombats and many others.One only has about 55 kangaroo species.Most of them are tiny - a tree that lives on the branches of tropical trees.His height - about 50 cm. And the largest - known to all of us red kangaroos, the height of which can be up to 1.8 meters.According to estimates, the country lives from 30 to 60 million. These bouncy fauna.

particular note is the short-beaked echidna.At first glance, it resembles a giant hedgehog, but nothing to do with him, in addition to the rough, does not matter.She carries the eggs in a bag and feeds its young with milk.Through prickly needles vipers have almost no enemies, in addition to Aboriginal people who are prepared from its meat and fat variety of local delicacies.

Under threat of extinction is at least representative of exotic Australian fauna - the Tasmanian devil.Once it has been distributed across the continent, but is now found only in Tasmania.This is one of the most famous among the marsupial predators.Devil he was called for a fierce temper and a black coat color.He himself was the size of a small dog, but because of his menacing postures and sounds frightening, it is an animal pass by even large predators.

present decoration Australia - koala - cute animal that looks like a teddy bear.Koala - very lazy creature who holds in his sleep most of the day - about 20 hours.It feeds on eucalyptus leaves, which practically inedible for other forest dwellers.In the language of the Aboriginal word "koala" means "do not drink."It is an amazing fact, but the animal does not need extra fluid, as sufficient moisture gets out of eucalyptus leaves.About a hundred years ago, people were almost exterminated koala because of its valuable fur, so today it is under the protection of the state.

impossible to disregard a truly unique, one of a kind, the animal - the platypus, which can be seen only in Australia.The body of a mammal waterfowl covered in thick fur, head ends with a long flat beak, and feet are webbed.They hatch their young platypus eggs, and feed them with milk.Australia has set up special reserves for safe living of this amazing animal, as recently due to water pollution platypus were threatened with extinction.

Fauna Australia - is not only marsupial.The largest and the only predator among placental mammals in the region - dingo.It lives throughout Australia and is one of the close relatives of the wolf.In these animals, the strengths and strong jaws, powerful legs, big body and a bushy tail.

Obviously, the words can not be put to all the wonders that Australia is famous for.The fauna is diverse and its many faces.Therefore, if you - a lover of unusual fauna, be sure to visit this amazing continent.The fauna of Australia you are sure you will not disappoint!