Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! whispered a worried Dorothy as she scurried along a spooky stretch of the yellow brick road in The
Wizard of Oz.
But if Dorothy were journeying in the real land of Oz a nickname
for Australia often used by its residents she might be
repeating the names of other animals native to the island continent.
Platypuses, echidnas and kookaburras, oh my!
But those three animals indigenous to Australia hardly strike fear into
visitors to Australia, let alone to the Aussies themselves. They've been selected as mascots for the Sydney Summer Games and will be getting plenty of media attention during the 2000 Olympics.
Platypus
Sometimesc referred to as the duckbilled platypus, this mammal seems to be a
hodge-podge misfit of the animal kingdom.
It has an otter-like furry body, a beaver-like paddle tail, duck-like bill and webbed feet. And the oddities dont end there. It also lays eggs and has mammary glands but no teats.
With the platypus and the echidna, Australia lays claim to having the
worlds only two monotremes egg-laying mammals.
With its webbed forefeet, the platypus travels on land in a slow,
plodding manner. But in the water, the webbed feet and flat paddle
tail turn the platypus into a smooth swimmer. The platypus paddles
with its forefeet, with the webbed hind feet tucked away except when
used to brake or steer.
Underwater, the platypus is well-insulated with its double coat of fur. Closing its eyes, nostrils and ears, it relies on the bills
sensitivity when locating food underwater.
The platypus feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, frogs, worms and insect
larvae. It resides often in an intricate system of tunnels along the
bank of a river or creek, with some burrows stretching for more than
60 feet.
An adult male can measure about 20 inches in length and weigh almost
four pounds.
Echidna
Sometimes called a spiny anteater, the echidna is known for its bizarre
physical features stout spines, bristly hair and a long,
pointed nose. It has adapted to a wide variety of Australian habitats
and can be found across most of the island continent.
Feeding on a diet of ants and termites, the echidna deploys a long tongue
that can extend out some 7 inches. Covering the tongue is a
sticky secretion used to snag insects.
The echidna and platypus are monotremes (mammals that lay eggs), making
the Australian pair close relatives despite their varying appearances. Solitary by nature but mutually tolerant, the echidna resides in underground burrows.
After mating, a female echidna bears a single egg that she carries in
a pouch on her belly. Hatching 10 days later, the baby echidna
remains in the pouch for another six weeks, then remains at its
mothers side until it can survive on its own.
About a foot long and weighing 1.5 pounds, the echidna will vary in
appearance and color from blondish to dark brown
according to its surrounding climate and environment.
Kookaburra
Australias common bird with the uncommon name and call, the kookaburra can be
seen throughout the island continent, both in rural and urban
settings.
The largest member of all kingfishers, the kookaburra is also renowned for
its distinctive call, which is described as a loud, human-like laugh.
Described by some as a laughing jackass, the kookaburras
cry is one of Australias signature sounds.
Making their homes in leafy trees, kookaburras tend to keep together in
family groups. In fact, kookaburras are often retained by their
parents to help care for younger siblings. An adult kookaburra will
grow to between 16 and 20 inches and weigh between one and two
pounds, with its diet ranging from termites and large insects to
snakes, lizards and even small mammals.
The colors and markings of a kookaburra are distinctive brown with
a white-gray underside, as well as dark bands on the tail and cheek
patches on the face. Males sport blue wing markings as well.
More reading
Odd-looking platypus and echidna deliver shocker
Platypus has a sixth sense in its duckbill
You can do it
Research and read about other Australian animals:
Emu
Dingo
Kangaroo
Koala
Wallaby
Wombat