Cattle (colloquially cows) are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. Cattle are raised as livestock for meat (beef and veal), as dairy animals for milk and other dairy products, and as draft animals (pulling carts, plows and the like). Other products include leather and dung for manure or fuel. In some countries, such as India, cattle are sacred. It is estimated that there are 1.3 billion cattle in the world today.

as draft animals (pulling carts, plows and the like). Other products include leather and dung for manure or fuel. In some countries, such as India, cattle are sacred. It is estimated that there are 1.3 billion cattle in the world today.

Pelicans are large birds with enormous, pouched bills. The Australian Pelican has the longest bill of any bird. Pelicans swim well with their short, strong legs and their feet with all four toes webbed. The tail is short and square, with 20 to 24 feathers. The wings are long and have the unusually large number of 30 to 35 secondary flight feathers. A layer of special fibers deep in the breast muscles can hold the wings rigidly horizontal for gliding and soaring. Pelicans rub the backs of their heads on their preen glands to pick up its oily secretion, which they transfer to their plumage to waterproof it.

webbed. The tail is short and square, with 20 to 24 feathers. The wings are long and have the unusually large number of 30 to 35 secondary flight feathers. A layer of special fibers deep in the breast muscles can hold the wings rigidly horizontal for gliding and soaring. Pelicans rub the backs of their heads on their preen glands to pick up its oily secretion, which they transfer to their plumage to waterproof it.

Seagulls are birds in the family Laridae. Most gulls belong to the large family named Larus. The word Larus is from the Greek word meaning “ravenous sea bird.” The term “Seagull” can be mislead misleading because many species of gulls live, feed, and nest inland. Seagulls can be found around the oceans worldwide with the exception of some central Pacific islands, and some areas in Southeast Asia. The gulls are relatively uniform in shape but do vary in size and coloration. Seagulls are the acrobats of the sky, making the seemingly impossible antics appear effortless. They can float motionless in midair by catching wind currents with perfect timing and precision while positioning their bodies at just the right angle. The seagull is perhaps best known as being a scavenger. It is most often seen in large, noisy flocks congregating wherever food is available. They can almost always be found around fishing boats, picnic grounds, parking lots and garbage dumps. Many people consider the gull to be a nuisance, but they actually perform a very valuable service. They are garbage men with wings. They scavenge up great numbers of dead animals and organic litter which could pose a health threat to humans.

misleading because many species of gulls live, feed, and nest inland. Seagulls can be found around the oceans worldwide with the exception of some central Pacific islands, and some areas in Southeast Asia. The gulls are relatively uniform in shape but do vary in size and coloration. Seagulls are the acrobats of the sky, making the seemingly impossible antics appear effortless. They can float motionless in midair by catching wind currents with perfect timing and precision while positioning their bodies at just the right angle. The seagull is perhaps best known as being a scavenger. It is most often seen in large, noisy flocks congregating wherever food is available. They can almost always be found around fishing boats, picnic grounds, parking lots and garbage dumps. Many people consider the gull to be a nuisance, but they actually perform a very valuable service. They are garbage men with wings. They scavenge up great numbers of dead animals and organic litter which could pose a health threat to humans.

Polar bears are a potentially endangered species living in the circumpolar north. They are animals which know no boundaries. They pad across the ice from Russia to Alaska, from Canada to Greenland and onto Norway's Svalbard archipelago.

onto Norway's Svalbard archipelago.

The Tasmanian Devil is a carnivorous marsupial now found in the wild only in the Australian island state of Tasmania. The size of a small dog, but stocky and muscular, the Tasmanian Devil is now the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world after the extinction of the Thylacine in 1936. It is characterised by its black fur, pungent odour when stressed, extremely loud and disturbing screech, and ferocity when feeding. It is known to both hunt prey and scavenge carrion and although it is usually solitary, it sometimes eats with other devils.

largest carnivorous marsupial in the world after the extinction of the Thylacine in 1936. It is characterised by its black fur, pungent odour when stressed, extremely loud and disturbing screech, and ferocity when feeding. It is known to both hunt prey and scavenge carrion and although it is usually solitary, it sometimes eats with other devils.

Crabs are related to lobsters and shrimps. They have evolved so that they can walk or run sideways, as well as burrow and swim. The body is covered by a chitinous shell called a carapace. A crabs abdomen is tucked under the body. A crab's segmented body has several pairs of appendages, of which usually five pairs serve as walking legs and two as sensory antennae.

abdomen is tucked under the body. A crab's segmented body has several pairs of appendages, of which usually five pairs serve as walking legs and two as sensory antennae.

Kookaburras are large to very large terrestrial kingfishers native to Australia and New Guinea. Kookaburras are best known for their unmistakable call, which is uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter. Good natured, but rather hysterical, merriment in the case of the well-known Laughing Kookaburra; and maniacal cackling in the case of the slightly smaller Blue-winged Kookaburra. They are generally not closely associated with water, and can be found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, but also in suburban and residential areas near running water and where food can be searched for easily.

laughter. Good natured, but rather hysterical, merriment in the case of the well-known Laughing Kookaburra; and maniacal cackling in the case of the slightly smaller Blue-winged Kookaburra. They are generally not closely associated with water, and can be found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, but also in suburban and residential areas near running water and where food can be searched for easily.

Lizards are a large and widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 5,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica. Lizards typically have four limbs and external ears. Many lizards can detach their tails in order to escape from predators, an act called autotomy. Vision, including color vision, is particularly well developed in most lizards, and most communicate with body language or bright colors on their bodies as well as with pheromones. The adult length of species within the suborder ranges from a few centimeters for some chameleons and geckos to nearly three meters.

lizards can detach their tails in order to escape from predators, an act called autotomy. Vision, including color vision, is particularly well developed in most lizards, and most communicate with body language or bright colors on their bodies as well as with pheromones. The adult length of species within the suborder ranges from a few centimeters for some chameleons and geckos to nearly three meters.

The 150 or so species of ducks, geese and swans populate all continents except Antarctica. They inhabit lakes, ocean, bays, marshes and ponds, from the icy extremes of the Arctic Circle to the steamy depths of equatorial rainforests.

depths of equatorial rainforests.

Turtles in Australia: Eastern Snake Necks, also known as Eastern Long Necks, are found in the eastern states from Queensland to Adelaide. Murray River Hatchlings are short-necked and also known as Macquarie River Turtles. Saw Shell Species are short-necked and native to coastal Queensland. They have a distinctive jagged edge to their shells.

Macquarie River Turtles. Saw Shell Species are short-necked and native to coastal Queensland. They have a distinctive jagged edge to their shells.

Starfish are also known as sea stars and are not really fish despite the name been given to them. These are echinoderms, which are found abundant in the deep blue seas and shallow waters as well. The characteristic feature of the starfish is the 5 (or even more) arms.

characteristic feature of the starfish is the 5 (or even more) arms.

A kangaroo is a marsupial. In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, the Red Kangaroo, the Antilopine Kangaroo, and the Eastern and Western Grey Kangaroo of the Macropus genus. The family also includes many smaller species which include the wallabies, tree-kangaroos, wallaroos, pademelons and the Quokka, some 63 living species in all. Kangaroos are endemic to the continent of Australia, while the smaller macropods are found in Australia and New Guinea.

Macropus genus. The family also includes many smaller species which include the wallabies, tree-kangaroos, wallaroos, pademelons and the Quokka, some 63 living species in all. Kangaroos are endemic to the continent of Australia, while the smaller macropods are found in Australia and New Guinea.

The Dingo is a feral dog which mostly lives independently from humans. It is generally thought to originate from a population of domesticated dogs, possibly at a single occasion during the Austronesian expansion into Southeast Asia. Modern dingoes are found throughout Southeast Asia, mostly in small pockets of remaining natural forest, and in mainland Australia, particularly in the north. They have features in common with both wolves and modern dogs, and are regarded as more or less unchanged descendants of an early ancestor of modern dogs. The name dingo comes from the language of the Eora Aboriginal people.

Austronesian expansion into Southeast Asia. Modern dingoes are found throughout Southeast Asia, mostly in small pockets of remaining natural forest, and in mainland Australia, particularly in the north. They have features in common with both wolves and modern dogs, and are regarded as more or less unchanged descendants of an early ancestor of modern dogs. The name dingo comes from the language of the Eora Aboriginal people.

This selection of photos were taken in my front garden. The flatmate was pruning back the philodendron and, lo and behold, beneath the mass of foliage, were a large family of baby green tree frogs. We were mesmerized. There were about 20 that we could count, but probably more.

Of course, out came the camera's and I ended up taking about 60 piccies. The largest of the babies was about 1½ centimetres [many smaller than that]. Rob later said that last week he saw what would be the 'mum' in the backyard hiding in the spout of a watering can.

Well, at least we know that our local environment is good otherwise they would not be prolifically breeding here. And as you can see, they camouflage themselves exceptionally well.


The Green Tree Frog is larger than most Australian frogs, reaching 10 centimetres (4 inches) in length. The average lifespan of the frog in captivity, about sixteen years, is long in comparison with most frogs. Green Tree Frogs are docile and well suited to living near human dwellings. They are often found on windows or inside houses, eating insects drawn by the light.

Due to its physical and behavioural traits, the Green Tree Frog has become one of the most recognisable frogs in its region, and is a popular exotic pet throughout the world. The skin secretions of the frog have antibacterial and antiviral properties that may prove useful in pharmaceutical preparations.

Here in Australia it is an endangered species, therefore protected.

We were mesmerized. There were about 20 that we could count, but probably more.

Of course, out came the camera's and I ended up taking about 60 piccies. The largest of the babies was about 1½ centimetres [many smaller than that]. Rob later said that last week he saw what would be the 'mum' in the backyard hiding in the spout of a watering can.

Well, at least we know that our local environment is good otherwise they would not be prolifically breeding here. And as you can see, they camouflage themselves exceptionally well.


The Green Tree Frog is larger than most Australian frogs, reaching 10 centimetres (4 inches) in length. The average lifespan of the frog in captivity, about sixteen years, is long in comparison with most frogs. Green Tree Frogs are docile and well suited to living near human dwellings. They are often found on windows or inside houses, eating insects drawn by the light.

Due to its physical and behavioural traits, the Green Tree Frog has become one of the most recognisable frogs in its region, and is a popular exotic pet throughout the world. The skin secretions of the frog have antibacterial and antiviral properties that may prove useful in pharmaceutical preparations.

Here in Australia it is an endangered species, therefore protected.

The koala is a small, tree-dwelling, herbivorous marsupial. Its fur is thick and usually ash grey with a tinge of brown in places. The koala gets its name from an ancient Aboriginal word meaning "no drink" because it receives over 90% of its hydration from the Eucalyptus leaves (also known as gum leaves) it eats, and only drinks when ill or times when there is not enough moisture in the leaves. ie during droughts etc. The koala is the only mammal, other than the Greater Glider and Ringtail Possum, which can survive on a diet of eucalyptus leaves. It is NOT a bear!!

drink" because it receives over 90% of its hydration from the Eucalyptus leaves (also known as gum leaves) it eats, and only drinks when ill or times when there is not enough moisture in the leaves. ie during droughts etc. The koala is the only mammal, other than the Greater Glider and Ringtail Possum, which can survive on a diet of eucalyptus leaves. It is NOT a bear!!

Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed feet. Most parrots are predominantly green, with other bright colors, and some species are multi-colored. Cockatoo species range from mostly white to mostly black, and have a mobile crest of feathers on the top of their heads. The most important components of most parrots' diets are seeds, nuts, fruit, buds and other plant material, and a few species also eat insects and small animals, and the lories and lorikeets are specialised to feed on nectar from flowers, and soft fruits. Almost all parrots nest in tree holes (or nestboxes in captivity), and lay white eggs from which emerge altricial (helpless) young.

multi-colored. Cockatoo species range from mostly white to mostly black, and have a mobile crest of feathers on the top of their heads. The most important components of most parrots' diets are seeds, nuts, fruit, buds and other plant material, and a few species also eat insects and small animals, and the lories and lorikeets are specialised to feed on nectar from flowers, and soft fruits. Almost all parrots nest in tree holes (or nestboxes in captivity), and lay white eggs from which emerge altricial (helpless) young.

Most frogs are characterized by long hind legs, a short body, webbed digits, protruding eyes and the absence of a tail. Most frogs have a semi-aquatic lifestyle, but move easily on land by jumping or climbing. They typically lay their eggs in puddles, ponds or lakes, and their larvae, called tadpoles, have gills and develop in water. Adult frogs follow a carnivorous diet, mostly of arthropods, annelids and gastropods. Frogs are most noticeable by their call, which can be widely heard during the night or day, mainly in their mating season.

A distinction is often made between frogs and toads by their appearance. Many "toads" often have leathery skin for better water retention, and a brown coloration for camouflage. They also tend to burrow.

climbing. They typically lay their eggs in puddles, ponds or lakes, and their larvae, called tadpoles, have gills and develop in water. Adult frogs follow a carnivorous diet, mostly of arthropods, annelids and gastropods. Frogs are most noticeable by their call, which can be widely heard during the night or day, mainly in their mating season.

A distinction is often made between frogs and toads by their appearance. Many "toads" often have leathery skin for better water retention, and a brown coloration for camouflage. They also tend to burrow.

There are lots of different possums in Australia. Female possums carry their babies in a pouch. Possums are active at night and sleep in the day. They are plant eaters.

Possums are marsupials. This means the young are born after a short time and are very tiny and undeveloped. They crawl up their mother's belly and into a pouch where they stay and finish their development. Possums are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. In the day, they sleep in tree hollows.

This means the young are born after a short time and are very tiny and undeveloped. They crawl up their mother's belly and into a pouch where they stay and finish their development. Possums are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. In the day, they sleep in tree hollows.

Wombats are Australian marsupials; they are short-legged, muscular quadrupeds, approximately 1 metre (39 in) in length with a very short tail. They are found in forested, mountainous, and heathland areas of south-eastern Australia and Tasmania.

areas of south-eastern Australia and Tasmania.

A snake is an elongate legless carnivorous reptile of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by the lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. Like lizards, from which they evolved, they have loosely articulated skulls, and most can dislocate their lower jaw in order to swallow prey much larger than their own head. In order to accommodate their narrow bodies, snakes' paired organs (such as kidneys) appear one in front of the other instead of side by side, and they have only one functional lung.

ectothermic amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. Like lizards, from which they evolved, they have loosely articulated skulls, and most can dislocate their lower jaw in order to swallow prey much larger than their own head. In order to accommodate their narrow bodies, snakes' paired organs (such as kidneys) appear one in front of the other instead of side by side, and they have only one functional lung.

Alpacas are considerably smaller than llamas, and unlike llamas, alpacas are not used as beasts of burden but are valued only for their fiber. Alpaca fiber is used for making knitted and woven items, much as sheep's wool is. Alpacas and llamas differ in that alpacas have straight ears and llamas have banana-shaped ears. Aside from these differences, llamas are on average 1-2 feet taller and proportionally bigger than alpacas.

much as sheep's wool is. Alpacas and llamas differ in that alpacas have straight ears and llamas have banana-shaped ears. Aside from these differences, llamas are on average 1-2 feet taller and proportionally bigger than alpacas.

Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid. Dolphins evolved about ten million years ago. Dolphins are considered to be amongst the most intelligent of animals and their often friendly appearance and seemingly playful attitude have made them popular in human culture.

and squid. Dolphins evolved about ten million years ago. Dolphins are considered to be amongst the most intelligent of animals and their often friendly appearance and seemingly playful attitude have made them popular in human culture.

Birds are winged, bipedal, endothermic (warm-blooded), vertebrate animals that lay eggs. There are around 10,000 living species, making them the most numerous tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Birds range in size from the 5cm Bee Hummingbird to the 3m Ostrich. The fossil record indicates that birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs during the Jurassic period, around 150–200 Ma (million years ago).

ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Birds range in size from the 5cm Bee Hummingbird to the 3m Ostrich. The fossil record indicates that birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs during the Jurassic period, around 150–200 Ma (million years ago).

The Galah can be easily identified by its rose-pink head, neck and underparts, with paler pink crown, and grey back, wings and undertail. Birds from the west of Australia have comparatively paler plumage. Galahs have a bouncing acrobatic flight, but spend much of the day sheltering from heat in the foliage of trees and shrubs. The voice is a distinctive high-pitched screech, 'chi-chi'. Huge noisy flocks of birds congregate and roost together at night.

plumage. Galahs have a bouncing acrobatic flight, but spend much of the day sheltering from heat in the foliage of trees and shrubs. The voice is a distinctive high-pitched screech, 'chi-chi'. Huge noisy flocks of birds congregate and roost together at night.

Bees
Creepy crawly things

A crocodile is any species belonging to the family Crocodylidae. Crocodiles are large aquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. They tend to congregate in freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes, wetlands and sometimes in brackish water. They feed mostly on vertebrates like fish, reptiles, and mammals, sometimes on invertebrates like mollusks and crustaceans, depending on species. They are an ancient lineage, and are believed to have changed little since the time of the dinosaurs

congregate in freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes, wetlands and sometimes in brackish water. They feed mostly on vertebrates like fish, reptiles, and mammals, sometimes on invertebrates like mollusks and crustaceans, depending on species. They are an ancient lineage, and are believed to have changed little since the time of the dinosaurs

Corellas are mostly white, with a fleshy blue eye-ring and a pale rose-pink patch between the eye and bill. In flight, a bright sulphur-yellow wash can be seen on the underwing and under tail. The sexes are similar in plumage, and young birds look like the adults. The adults measure 35cm - 39cm; young birds are slightly smaller.

sexes are similar in plumage, and young birds look like the adults. The adults measure 35cm - 39cm; young birds are slightly smaller.