|
|
|
Wildlife in Central Australia |
|
The 'heart of Australia' encompasses a breadth of lands that is immense in size
and ancient in origins. Occupying about one sixth of Australia's total land
mass, it's boundaries hold some of Australia's most unique and significant
icons, being home to a variety of contrasting landscapes of deserts, saltpans,
ephemeral rivers, permanent waterholes, grasslands, shrublands and forests, sand
dunes and mountain ranges, that offer a unique experiences for visitors to the
region. Such a vast and varied landscape means it is also home to a great
range of flora and fauna, much of which is unique to the area. There are of
course many non-indigenous wildlife and plants that have established themselves
in the region, some which are considered vermin and noxious weeds, but have
permanently established themselves.
When travelling through Central Australia, you pass through land that is
traditionally associated with different Aboriginal language groups. As the
original custodians of Central Australia, they have a unique relationship with
the land, that is communicated through their art and Dreamtime stories, weaving
a connection between spirit and country. Their close relationship extends in to
their intimate knowledge of the flora and fauna, providing food, medicine and
the essentials.
Centred on the Alice Springs and MacDonnell tourism regions, the vast Central
Australia region describes an area that stretches north to encompass both the
Barkly region, across the border into Queensland, South Australia and Western
Australia. Sometimes referred to as the 'red centre', this immense semi-arid
region is full of life and has many attractions. With it's rich Aboriginal
culture and the more modern European history, the region encapsulates the true
Australian outback spirit. |
|
|
|
|
Wildlife in Central Australia - Snapshots from Australia
|
|
Australia's larges species, the
Perentie (Varanus giganteus) is
found throughout the arid Central Australian region, central Western Australia
and outback Queensland. Growing up to 2.5 metres in length, it is usually found
in rocky ranges and outcrops, as well as the vast sandy deserts. |
 |
|
One of Australia's iconic animals,
the kangaroo is a common term used to describe a group of roos that include
the Red Kangaroo, Eastern Grey and Western Grey, Wallaroos whose other names
include the Hills Kangaroo, Hills Wallaroo, Euro and Common Wallaroo. The
largest of these are the Red Kangaroo, the male of the species being a reddish
brown colour, whilst the females more blue-grey. They are rarely found alone,
preferring to stay in small groups. |
 |
Following is the
newly
emerged adult cicada (Orange Drummer). It quickly darkens and takes on the
colour of the Orange Drummer species.
Cicadas are the loudest insect in the world. Their drone are one of the most
recognisable sound in Australia, and herald the approach of summer. There are
more than 200 species of cicadas in Australia, most of which belong to the one
large family, the Cicadidae. There are about 1,500 species world-wide.
The adult cicadas mate, and then the female cicada lays its eggs by piercing the
plant stems and inserting the eggs into the slits. These eggs hatch into small
wingless cicadas known as nymphs. They fall to the ground and burrow below the
surface, where they live on the sap from plant roots. Over the period of several
years, the nymphs grow, shedding their skin at intervals. The nymphs of the
larger, common Australian species of cicada is thought to live underground for
around 6-7 years. This may explain why adult cicadas are more abundant during
some seasons than others, with peaks occurring every few years. Once the nymph
reaches full size, it will dig its way to the surface with specially adapted
front legs. It usually surfaces as night falls in the late spring or early
summer. Then, climbing the nearest tree trunk or other fixture, it will shed its
skin for the last time, emerging as a pale fully-winged adult cicada, which
darkens to the recognisable colour of that species of cicada. |
 |
A spectacular creature this reptile is a favourite of many young children and adults,
with it's strange jerky gait and tail held in an upward curve.
The distinctive
Thorny Devil (Moloch horridus) is found in arid scrub and desert regions of
Central Australia. Covered with large thorn-shape spines over its head, body,
tail and limbs, the Thorny Devil also has a spinose hump on the back of its
neck, that looks similar to two gumnuts joined together. The spines are sharp to
the touch. The colour is mottled arrangement of predominantly mustard yellow
and rusty red. Colours can vary depending on the colour of the sand where the
Thorny Devil lives. Those on the rust red of Central Australia taken on that
colouration, whilst other found living on desert yellow/white sand are lighter
in colour. The Thorny Devil feeds exclusively on small black ants, eating up to 5,000
ants per meal. |
 |
|
