You probably know that the koala and the kangaroo are native to Australia, but there are lots of other animals that can only be found there as well – and they come in all shapes and sizes.

Mammals (non-marsupial mammals)

Dugong

Dugongs, also called sea cows, can weigh up to 1100 pounds. They are pure white and the protective layers of fat they have on them make them appear extremely rotund. Their tails are similar to those of whales and dolphins but they give birth, instead of laying eggs.

Australian Fur Seal

Australian fur seals are deep diving animals. They can dive as far as 500m deep to catch squid or octopus. Males weigh at least 400 pounds and can go up to around 800 pounds. They are typically found living along the Australian coast in New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria.

Dingo

Australia’s native breed of dog, dingoes can't bark like dogs. They howl and their ears are always erect. Their “wrists” are unique so that they are actually capable of using their paws like hands (they can even turn doorknobs). They typically live alone, have short-haired coat, and prefer to hunt at night.

Echidna

Echidnas, also called spiny anteaters, are one of only two mammal species that lay eggs. Covered with coarse hair and spines, they eat ants and termites. Their jaw is actually toothless; instead they eat using their very stick tongue. They also have large claws that help them dig up insects.

Platypus

The platypus is the official animal emblem of New South Wales. Like the echidna, it also lays eggs. Platypus look like a mix of many different animals: they are duck-billed, otter-footed, beaver-tailed, and they’re venomous to boot. These features make them excellent swimmers even though their naturally buoyant bodies mean they’re constantly swimming down. They prefer to feed at night.

Marsupials

Long Nosed Bandicoot

The long nosed bandicoot is one of 20 species of bandicoot. They are only 8 to 17 inches tall and weigh about six pounds. They like to live on open plains, wooded areas, and even in drainpipes. The long nosed bandicoot uses its claws to dig up mostly insects, kneading them into a pulp before eating them.

Koala

Koalas are a species of herbivore that are typically found in southern Australia. Although some people know it as a “koala bear” it’s not a species of bear at all. They have opposable thumbs designed for tree climbing – and koalas even have fingerprints! They spend much of their time in tress, and rarely make noise except during mating season.

Kangaroo

The kangaroo is definitely Australia’s mascot – it’s used on their coat of arms, some currency, and many organizations. There are four species of kangaroo. They are the only mammals who move by hopping as they can’t walk properly with those long feet. They are very fast hoppers, getting up to 44 MPH! Female kangaroos carry their babies, or joeys, in a pouch in front of them until they are about 18 months old.

Tasmanian Devil

You can only find Tasmanian Devils in Tasmania. They’re the size of a small dog but far more muscular and they usually have black fur. They weigh an average of 18 pounds and when they’re agitated, they produce a strong offensive odor. They are hunters but they are also scavengers as well. They also have the strongest bite of any living mammal.

Birds

Cassowary

These large birds live in rainforests and like ostriches, they cannot fly. They have a special “helmet” on their head that’s called a casque, which they use for pushing their way through the thick forests. They eat fruit and seeds. They are also one of the endangered species list – there may only be around 1500 left alive.

Galah

The Galah is a type of cockatoo that’s also known as a “rose-breasted cockatoo.” In the wild, they are found in huge flocks. They are kept as pets but can be difficult to handle. They have distinct pink coloring on their face and chest. In Australia, the slang term “galah” means ‘fool’ or ‘idiot.’

Australian Magpie

The Australian magpie is one of Australia’s most common birds. They eat insects but they also eat frogs and small lizards. Sometimes, they group themselves into “tribes” to defend an area but most often, one male and one female guard an area. They tend to become very aggressive towards people during mating season!

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

Although there are four subspecies of this bird, two of those species are native to Australia. These birds can be found literally all over Australia, forming flocks of several hundred together. They are sometimes seen as a “symbol of the outback” because they are so common. These birds are popular pets and they have been known to live up to 80 years in captivity.

Lyrebird

There are two species of lyrebirds in Australia, namely, the Superb lyrebird and Albert’s lyrebird. Their name comes from the fact that their tail, which has 16 feathers, resembles a Greek lyre. Superb lyrebirds are known for their ability to mimic the calls of other birds like parrots. Both species can be found in southern Queensland but Albert’s lyrebirds also live in northern New South Wales while Superb lyrebirds live in southwestern Victoria.

Brolga

Brolgas, also called Australian cranes, are a species of crane found in eastern Australia. The mating dance of the brolga is well-known – the bird tosses grass into the air, catches it, and jumps around with its wings outstretched. These gray birds have a wingspan of 6 feet and weigh around 13 pounds. The brolga is the official bird that’s on the emblem of the city of Queensland.

Emu

The emu is Australia’s largest bird, standing at least 6 ½ feet in height, and weighing between 90 and 120 pounds. As they can’t fly, they developed into strong runners capable of getting up to 40 miles per hour. Their steps are so long that they can take 9-foot strides. Their eggs are emerald green and they are easy to be raised in farms.

Blue-winged Kookaburra

These birds are a member of the large Kingfisher family. This subspecies is typically found in tropical eucalypt woodlands where they live in the forests or swamps. They are commonly confused with the more common “laughing Kookaburra” but they have different coloring. They eat everything from bugs to lizards.

Turquoisine

The Turquoisine, or turquoise parrot, is native to the forested areas of eastern Australia like Queensland and Victoria where the rain is high. They are only about 8 inches tall but they are vividly marked with a turquoise blue crown on the face as well as all down the body. They are always found in pairs or small groups and they are a popular pet.

Mallee Fowl

These birds are mound builders – they spend at least 9 months digging holes in the ground so a mated pair can make a special sort of incubator for their eggs. That’s why they’re known as the “incubator bird.” When the chicks hatch, they can fly within 24 hours and are on their own thereafter. They are typically found in southern Australia.

Fairy Penguin

There are 17 species of penguin in the world and the fairy penguin is the smallest. Their feathers are blue and black. Fairy penguins grow to be around 16 inches tall but they weigh only 2 pounds. They have the shortest breeding cycle of their species and are typically nocturnal so they can avoid larger predators.

Reptiles

Goanna

There are 25 different species of Goanna that live in Australia. They are carnivores who like to eat their pretty whole and the largest of them grow to be over 2m in length. They are typically darkly colored and are found everywhere in Australia except Tasmania. 

Moloch

Also known as Thorny Devil, the Moloch can live up to 20 years and is colored to match the desert where it lives. Females are larger than males and they grow to be around 8 inches in length.

If you’re going to visit Australia, it might be best to consider a car rental to avoid any chance of coming into contact with some of the more dangerous animals unique to Australia.