SWAMP WALLABY

Swamp wallabies are Australia's only wallabia species, found on the eastern coast of Australia, introduced to New Zealand and offshore islands. Their habitat is dense undergrowth in forest woodland and heath throughout eastern Australia.

They are about 700 mm high when sitting on their haunches and their tails are also 700mm long. They weigh up to 17 kg. Fur is dark brown with lighter belly and chest.

Illustration by Jazzmin Jarman

GREY HEADED FRUIT BAT

A large bat with a wingspan of 1.2 metres (4') It can be seen in large flocks, flying up the river on a warm evening, from the Botanical Gardens where it lives in a breeding colony which fluctuates in size from 3000 to 8000 bats. It spreads out into suburban gardens at night where it feeds on flowers and fruit.
The colony is the subject of contoversy. Managers of the Botanical Gardens would like to get rid of the bats because of the damage they cause to trees where they roost.
Naturalists are more concerned about protection of the bats, as their numbers are declining in other parts of Victoria.

Illustration by Nicky Clarke-Hodge

BRUSH TAIL POSSUM

A large possum, about the size of a cat. It lives in tree hollows or in house roofs. It eats leaves, flowers and fruit, sometimes eating eggs and small animals. One of the few native animals which thrives in the city.

Illustration by Soph Louchart.

RINGTAIL POSSUM

Height 700 mm (25")long from head to tail. A smaller possum, it eats leaves, flowers and fruit. It builds a nest from shredded bark and grass in dense bush.

Illustration by Isabelle Carr

GARDEN SKINK

Length 100 mm (4") Vividly patterned with a flecked back and black and white stripes. Females lay eggs in communal nests of up to 200 - 300 eggs, with each lizard laying 2 - 3 each.

Illustration by Stephanie Tran

BLUE TONGUE LIZARD

BROWN ANTECHINUS

Feeds on insects. Probably the most common mammal in South Eastern Australia. Males are extremely aggressive, especially during mating time, and die of exhaustion, shortly after mating, at less than 1 year old. Females can survive for up to two breeding seasons.

Illustration by Charlotte Crouch

BROWN SNAKE

Size: up to 2 m. The Eastern Brown Snake is one of Australia's most dangerous reptiles. It is fast-moving and aggressive. However, like most snakes, it is most likely to retreat.

The name 'Brown Snake' is a bit misleading. Colours are variable and range from tan through dark brown, russet-orange to almost black, with a cream or white belly. Juveniles have black bands. In some individuals, the bands cover the entire body while others have bands only to the head. Both variations may be born in the same clutch. The black bands fade with age but may still be evident in some adults.

The Eastern Brown Snake lays eggs and feeds on lizards, frogs, small mammals and birds.

Distribution: Common in Forests, woodlands, and heath in eastern and central Australia.

Bite: Venomous and dangerous

More about the brown snake

Illustration by Maddy Ellis

Artwork by students of Richmond Primary School, Year 6, 2003