Animals in Australia

Below you can find a complete list of Australian animals. We currently track 170 animals in Australia and are adding more every day!

Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world. It is also one of the driest continents on earth. Its huge landmass offers a varied landscape of deserts, tropical rainforests, and mountain ranges.  Australia is famous for its Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world. An island continent, it is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It includes the Australian mainland, the island of Tasmania, and other small islands.

Australia’s unique geographic position and centuries of isolation created ecosystems that are unique in the world. Of its flora and fauna, 84% of its mammals, 45% of its birds, 93% of its reptiles and 90% of its fish are endemic. Australia has 755 species of reptile, which is more than any country in the world.

Australia’s Unique Animals

Australia’s most famous animals are its marsupials. Koalas, kangaroos, and wombats are some of the world’s best-loved animals.

Australia is also famous for its large, scary alligators and its many deadly snake species.

Australia has some unusual members of the monotreme family, including the platypus and echidna. In fact, when biologists first saw a platypus, some of them thought it was a crazy, elaborate hoax and not a real animal.

There are large numbers of animals that were introduced as domestic pets but are now wild. These include dingoes, water buffalos, camels, donkeys, pigs, goats, and betangs, which are cows that originated in Asia.

Some animals in Australia are not native, and they have caused problems to the native ecosystems. Cane toads, for instance, were introduced to control pests, but they are highly venomous to native animals and to humans. Cane toads are now considered a dangerous, invasive pest.

Red foxes were also introduced, and they have affected some small animal populations.

What Is the National Animal of Australia?

Australia’s national animal is the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus). Also known as the red giant kangaroo, it is the biggest land mammal that’s native to Australia.

Red kangaroos are plentiful in Australia, and they are listed as “least concern” for conservation status. Like all wildlife, however, they are protected by Australian law.

Koalas are not the national animal, but they are an important cultural symbol to Australians. Conservationists warn that these beloved animals may become extinct if habitat loss continues.

Which Animals Are Extinct or Endangered in Australia?

Despite its rich, unique biodiversity, Australia is at risk of losing valuable species. According to the Australian Geographic, it has the highest mammal extinction rate of any country in the world.

Australia currently has more than 500 animals on the endangered species list.

  • Spotted quoll: This large carnivorous marsupial has a spotted coat and a long snout. Its tendency to eat cane toads partially caused its population decline, mistaking them for native toads. Conservation efforts to establish them on toad-free islands have shown success.
  • Tasmanian devil: The largest carnivorous marsupial, this sharp-toothed, cute critter is extinct on the Australian mainland. Tasmanian devils only live on the island of Tasmania. Since Tasmanian devils can protect themselves from foxes and cats, conservationists are hopeful about their chances of making a comeback.
  • Black-flanked rock-wallaby: This kangaroo-like marsupial lives in the rocky areas of the desert. The Australian government has listed the rock wallaby as a priority for conservation efforts.
  • Eastern curlew: The world’s largest shorebird depends on safe, protected wetlands to survive. This bird eats crabs and mollusks, but habitat loss has led to an 80% population decline.

Australian Animals


The largest wingspan of any bird in the world!

Angora Goat



First evolved 100 million years ago!

Australian Bulldog


Australian Cattle Dog

High energy levels and active minds!

Australian Gecko

Geckos have 100 teeth and continually replace them.

Australian Kelpie Dog

Friendly, intelligent and energetic!

Australian Labradoodle

The "Australian" just refers to where the breed originated

Australian Mist

First bred in the 1700s!

Australian Shepherd

Sweet, faithful and affectionate!

Australian Terrier

Spirited, alert and courageous!


Has a curved, upturned beak!

Banana Spider



Bandicoot Many species are endangered or extinct!

Barn Owl

Found everywhere around the world!

Barn Swallow

Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.


Detects prey using echolocation!


These dogs have great sniffer abilities

Bearded Dragon

Can grow to up 24 inches long!


There are more than 350,000 different species


Despite its small size, the alert nature and sharp bark of this canine make it a good watch dog.


In Australia, the chocolate bilby replaces the chocolate bunny for Easter.


Not all birds are able to fly!

Bird Of Paradise

There are around 50 different species!

Black Widow Spider

They typically prey on insects!


Natively found in Australia!

Burrowing Frog

Found close to marshes, streams and lakes!


There are thought to be up 20,000 species!


Can survive without water for 10 months!

Camel Cricket


Carpenter Ant


Cashmere Goat

Cashmere goat are named after Kashmir regions of India and Pakistan


Can reach speeds of 30mph!


First domesticated by the Ancient Egyptians!


The larvae of a moth or butterfly!


There are nearly 3,000 different species!


There are about 3,000 documented species!


First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!

Christmas Island Red Crab



Cicadas have one of the longest insect lifespans


Highly social, smart, and chatty bird.


Dated to be around 300 million years old!

Common House Spider



There are nearly 1.5 million worldwide!


There are 93 different crab groups

Crab Spider

Crab Spiders can mimic ants or bird droppings


Many are critically endangered species!


Have changed little in 200 million years!


Has a long, strong prehensile tail!


Natively found on the Australian continent!


First domesticated in South-East Asia!


First domesticated 5,000 years ago!


It's larvae are carnivorous!


Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!

Dung Beetle

The dung beetle can push objects many times its own weight


There are nearly 2,000 different species!


Also known as the Spiny Anteater!


Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!


The largest bird in Australia!


The fastest creatures on the planet!

Fallow deer


False Widow Spider

False spiders actually prey on black widow spiders and other hazardous spiders

Fiddler Crab



There are more than 240,000 different species!

Frilled Lizard

Mainly lives in the trees!


There are around 7,000 different species!

Fruit Bat

Among the largest bats in the world


There are thought to be over 2,000 species!

Glow Worm

Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!

Gouldian Finch

The male Gouldian finch bobs its head and fluffs its feathers to court a female.


There are 11,000 known species!

Green Tree Frog

Green tree frogs breathe through their skin


Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!


Can reach speeds of over 40 mph!


Inhabits wetlands around the world!

Highland Cattle

Natively found in the Scottish Highlands!

Honey Bee

There are only 8 recognized species!


Has evolved over 50 million years!




Thought to have orignated 200,000 years ago!

Huntsman Spider



Found in swamps, marshes and wetlands!


There are an estimated 30 million species!


Females have a deep pouch on their front!


Spends up to 80% of the time sleeping or resting!


The laughing kookaburra is one of four kookaburra species.


The name "koolie" comes from the German mispronunciation of "collie."


Friendly and energetic mix-breed!


There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!

Little Penguin

The smallest species of penguin!


There are around 5,000 different species!


Each locust can eat its weight in plants each day.


The lorikeet has a long brush-like tongue with fine hairs on it


The lungfish first evolved almost 400 million years ago.


They are found across Europe, Asia and Africa!


With an appropriate tail wind, the mallard can travel hundreds of miles a day

Maltese Shih Tzu

Both parent breeds, the Maltese and Shih Tzu, once entertained royalty

Marine Toad

Produces a toxin used in arrow darts!


There are 2,500 known species worldwide!


They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.


Some species have a poisonous bite!


Primarily hunts and feeds on Earthworms!

Mole Cricket


Monarch Butterfly



Has characteristics of two or more breeds!

Monitor Lizard

Some species are thought to carry a weak venom!


Feeds on aquatic insects and water-spiders!


There are 250,000 different species!


Found on every continent on Earth!

Myna Bird

For a nice price, the mynah bird makes a good pet.

No See Ums

There are more than 5,000 species.


There are less than 1,000 left in the wild!

Orb Weaver

Females are about four times the size of males


There are 13 different species worldwide


Inhabits the jungles of the far east!




Can live for up to 100 years!

Peacock Spider


Peregrine Falcon

Fastest animal on Earth


Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!




One of the only mammals to lay eggs!


The Poochon was first bred in Australia.


There are 69 species on the Australian continent!


They can carry items with their tail.


Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!


Makes runways through the long grasses!


Found across Australia and Papua New Guinea!


Omnivores that eat anything!

Red Fox

The red fox actually has many different variations of fur, including silver and brown.

Redback Spider


River Turtle

Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!


There are more than 45 species in Australia alone!



Savanna Goat

Savanna goats have only existed since 1957.


There are around 2,000 known species!

Sea Dragon

Inhabits tropical coastal waters of Australia!


Males give birth to up to 1,000 offspring!


Around 35 million in the English countryside!


There are 2,000 different species worldwide!

Silky Terrier

Silky terriers can be trained to participate in many events, including herding, agility, rally, tracking and fly ball.

Skink Lizard





There are nearly 1,000 different species!


There are around 3,000 known species worldwide


There are 140 different species!

Spider Wasp


Stick Insect

There are more than 3,000 different species!

Striped Rocket Frog

Long powerful hind legs!


Populations have been affected by pollution!

Tarantula Hawk

Tarantula hawks are excellent pollinators, especially for milkweed.

Tenterfield Terrier

These terriers have quick minds and fast feet making them excellent for agility competitions.


Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!


Terriers were once the greatest dogs in the world.

Thorny Devil

Found only on mainland Australia!



Tiger Beetle


Tree Frog

Found in warmer jungles and forests!

Tree Kangaroo

It’s the only macropod that lives in trees.




There are roughly 30 different species!


There are around 75,000 recognised species!

Water Buffalo

Has been domesticated for thousands of years!

Water Dragon

Spends most of it's time in the trees!

White Butterfly

This butterfly determines the smell and taste of a flower with its feet.

Wolf Spider

Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.


Spends most of the day underground!


This animal can roll up into a ball

Woodlouse Spider

Unlike most spiders, woodlouse spiders don’t build a web.

Zebra Finch

The male zebra finch creates a unique song by drawing inspiration from its parent or tutor

Australian Animals List

Animals in Australia FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What Animals Live in Australia?

Australia has many exotic animals.

Southern cassowary: This flightless bird resembles an ostrich but with a large blue head, a crest and huge claws. Cassowaries can run, swim and use their claws to fight.

Laughing kookaburra: This small, pretty bird is famous for its high-pitched call that sounds like a crazy laugh. It usually makes the sound at dawn and at dusk.

Pellucid hawk moth: This moth has transparent wings without scales, which makes it unique among members of the Lepidoptera family.

Bats: Australia has some of the biggest bats in the world. They can have wingspans of five feet and weigh more than two pounds. They are sometimes called megabats or flying foxes.

How Many Deadly Animals Are There in Australia?

Australia has many scary animals, and it’s known for its deadly snakes. It is the only continent where venomous snakes outnumber non-venomous ones. The eastern brown snake, inland taipan and eastern tiger snake are all scary. The eastern tiger snake has caused more deaths by snake bite than any other snake in Australia.

Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas): One of the most feared predators in the water, the bull shark will eat anything it can catch.

Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus): Also known as the estuarine crocodile, this crocodile is fast, aggressive and extremely scary. This fierce hunter is the biggest reptile in the world. It can weigh up to 1000 pounds. Steve Irwin, the famous Australian “Crocodile Hunter,” was known for his work rescuing these massive beasts.

Australia also has freshwater crocodiles, but they are not dangerous to humans unless you’re crazy enough to deliberately provoke them.

The Sydney funnel-web (Atrax robustus) is one of the world’s most dangerous spiders.

What Is the Most Dangerous Animal in Australia?

Box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri): This transparent animal has no teeth or claws, but it has the strongest venom in the world. A typical box jellyfish has 15 long tentacles, and each contains enough poison to kill several grown adults.

What Is the Most Beautiful Animal in Australia?

Australia has many animals that are utterly adorable. Most people are crazy about cuddly koalas or Tasmanian devils. It’s also impossible to resist quokkas, with their smiling faces and friendly natures. In fact, quokkas top our list of the 10 cutest animals.

Despite this stiff competition, we choose sugar gliders (Petaurus brevicep) as Australia’s loveliest creature. Native to Australia, sugar gliders are tiny, gorgeous marsupials with pink feet and enormous eyes. They get their name from their love of sap and nectar. They can also glide from one tree branch to another.

Australia has many amazing animals you won’t find anywhere else. That’s why its zoos and wildlife sanctuaries attract millions of visitors every year.