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These are just a few of
the varied wildlife to be found in the local bush and garden areas of Pearl Beach.
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Koala (Phascolarctos
cinereus)
An arboreal marsupial animal, Phascolarctos cinereus , the only member of the family Phascolarctidae. The koala reaches a maximum length of about 76 cm and has a maximum life span of about 20 years. The female bears one young at a time. The young koala is then kept in the marsupial pouch for about six months, after which time the female carries it upon her back until it is half grown. Koalas are found only in eucalyptus forests of eastern Australia. The animals frequent high eucalyptus trees, feeding only on the leaves and flowers of certain species of eucalyptus. Koalas have functional cheek pouches with which to masticate their bulky food. The animal is lethargic and often remains in the same tree for days. The males are more active than the females and feed during the day; the females sleep all day and feed at night. Koalas sleep curled up on the limbs of trees, firmly grasping the limbs with their feet. Koalas
were formerly killed for their soft, thick fur but are now
protected by laws in Australia, although in many areas koala
numbers were already decimated. In the last few decades
many koala populations have been reduced by the disease
Chlamydia, which affects their reproductive abilities. However,
many groups of healthy koalas are thriving in protected
areas. |
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Red-necked
Wallaby (Macrophus
rufogriseus) The Rednecked Wallaby, Macrophus rufogriseus, inhabits thickets, whereas Rock Wallabies of the genus Petrogale live in crevices in rocks.  |
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Ring-tail
Possum (Pseudocheiridea) Ringtail possums, genus Pseudocheirus , have prehensile, lightly furred tails that taper to a point; the tail is curled into a tight coil when not being used like a fifth limb to hold onto branches or carry nesting material. The ringtail is an agile climber and leaper. Some species nest in hollow trees, others build a shelter of twigs in the branches of trees or shrubs. The common ringtail ( P. peregrinus ), found along the eastern coast of Australia and in a pocket of the south-west, varies in colour from grey to chestnut above and creamy-white to pale grey below; it has short ears and its tail has a white tip. It eats leaves and flowers. |
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Brush-tail
Possum (Trichosuru
vulpecula) The brushtail possum, genus Trichosurus is about the size of a large cat and is characterised by its long bushy tail (which is only moderately prehensile) and a fox-like face with long oval ears. Most abundant is the common brushtail ( T. vulpecula ), which is silvery-grey above and yellowish brown below and is very common in urban areas. Early settler's introduced it to New Zealand in 1840 where it has become a major pest in forest plantations. |
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Glider
Possum
(Petauridae) Glider possums are creatures of the high tree tops. They glide by means of a flying membrane-a large fold of loose skin extending from the ankles along the sides of the body to the wrists. When the glider launches itself from a high branch the membrane is stretched tight, allowing the animal to control its descent to a predetermined landing spot. Members of this family eat nectar, pollen, eucalyptus sap and insects. |
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Long-nosed Bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) The Long-nosed Bandicoot is probably best known for the small, round conical holes it leaves behind as it forages at night. These holes are dug with the front feet and are big enough for the animal's long, sensitive snout to reach in and detect insects and other small invertebrate prey. During the day they sleep in nests made from grasses and other plant material. About the size of a rabbit or cat, the Long-nosed Bandicoot has pointed ears, a short tail, grey-brown fur and, of course, a long nose. They are solitary for most of the year. The gestation period of only 12.5 days is one of the shortest known of any mammal. Long-nosed Bandicoots were once widespread and common in Pearl Beach. Today, their range and distribution is greatly reduced. A small, colony at Sydney's North Head (Manly) is classified as an 'endangered population'. |
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Flying
Fox (Pteropus) Fruit-eating bats of the suborder Megachiroptera, especially of the genus Pteropus which have a foxlike head and feed nocturnally on fruit and blossom. |
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Skink Lizard
(Lampropholis delicata) Harmless, generally smooth-scaled lizard constituting the family Scincidae. It is a shy diurnal lizard and may grow to lengths between 9 to 20 centimetres. Skinks feed mainly on insects but it will include fruit in its diet. Skinks
lay 2-5 eggs in
late spring which hatch in mid to late summer. The young lizards mature within
twelve months. |
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Blue-tongue Lizard
(Tiliqua
Scincoides Scincoides ) The Blue-tongue lizard is probably one of the most familiar reptiles in Australia. Its natural habitat is woodland, grassland and heath country but it readily adapts to urban and suburban gardens and parks where it fulfils a valuable role in controlling pests such as slugs and snails. The latter is eaten skillfully by crushing the shell and swallowing the soft body of the prey while, at the same time, the shell particles are ejected. Their diet is varied and also includes vegetation, berries, flowers and insects. Blue-tongue
lizards produce live young in huge litters of up to thirty
miniature lizards usually in late summer after the female
mated in late spring. |
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Diamond
Python (
) Common name for a large constricting snake found throughout Australia. It is named for diamond-shaped markings of yellow and black on the back and abdomen, although it is extremely variable in color and other diamond pythons, such as the carpet snake, have irregular greenish markings. The diamond python's average length is about 2.4 m, but some up to 4.2 m long have been found. It is founf in large bushland areas and in most National Parks, but it often goes undetected because of it's nocturnal, slow-moving habits. During the day, it may be seen basking on a tree limb and occasionally it is found in roofs and rafters. A Diamond Python in your roof will not cause any damage but will help control rats and possums. They feed mostly on small mammals and lizards. The femaile Diamond Pyton lays eggs and coils around them to protect them and to keep them warm. This maternal care, which is uncommon in snakes, ceases once the young hatch. |
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Eastern
Brown Snake
(Pseudonaja textilis) One of the most dangerous of Australian reptiles. It is fast moving and aggressive. However, like most snakes it's likely to retreat. The Eastern
Brown snake lays eggs and feed on lizards, frogs, small
mammals and birds. |
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Red-Bellied
Black Snake
(Pseudechis porphyriacus) The Red-bellied Black snake is yet another most dangerous Australian snake. It is found in a wide variety of habitats but tends to be seen in moister areas, particularly near water. Frogs form a large portion of its diet. The Red-bellied
Black snake gives birth to anywhere from eight to fourty
(8 - 40) live young at a time. |
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