KREFFT'S GLIDER

Photographed in Little Desert National Park, Victoria, September 2017

66                KREFFT'S GLIDER                Petaurus breviceps (Now changed to Petaurus notatus)    

AUSTRALIA                66

Common and widespread in wet and dry sclerophyll forest and woodland from cool temperate se to wet/dry tropical n. Introduced to Tasmania. Nocturnal, arboreal; Eats arboreal arthropods, nectar, pollen, manna.

NOTE: Sugar Glider has been split into three separate species. This is the species now know as Krefft's Glider. Krefft's is the most widespread in Australia, coming from Victoria, NSW (west of Dividing Range) and Queensland (except narrow coastal strip).

SOUTHERN BENT-WING BAT

Photographed at Naracoorte Caves, South Australia, September 2017

65              SOUTHERN BENT-WING BAT                   Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii

AUSTRALIA                 65

One of the three subspecies of Common Bent-wing Bat found in south-eastern Australia; may be elevated to species level. Population has been declining since 1950s; one of only five mammals in Australia classified as critically endangered. 

NEW ZEALAND FUR SEAL

Photographed at the Barrage, Goolwa, South Australia, September 2017

64                  NEW ZEALAND FUR SEAL                 Arctocephalus forsteri

AUSTRALIA                  64

Now known as Long-nosed Fur Seal, also called Australasian Fur Seal, South Australian Fur Seal or Antipodean Fur Seal. Native to Macquarie Island, West Australia, South Australia, North and South Island New Zealand. 

SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE

Photographed at Fowler Bay, South Australia, September 2017

63                   SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE                    Eubalaena australis 

AUSTRALIA               63

Circumglobal in temperate and sub polar waters, mostly 30-60 degrees south. Migrates and gives birth in shallow bays around southern continents. In Australia found May-October between Perth and Sydney. Does not feed in Australian waters. Swims slowly, blowing every 1-2 minutes; shallow dives, often breaches, tails, slaps flippers, or rolls belly up.

YELLOW-FOOTED ROCK-WALLABY

Photographed in Brachia Gorge, South Australia, September 2017

62               YELLOW-FOOTED ROCK-WALLABY                    Petrogale xanthopus

AUSTRALIA                62

Formerly known as Ring-tailed Wallaby. Two subspecies: xanthopus found in SA (listed as vulnerable, 2000-6500 animals) and western NSW (170-250 animals);and celeris, isolated pockets in Queensland (listed as vulnerable). Not found near human habitation, prefers rough terrain, rocky outcrops.

RED KANGAROO

Photographed in Flinder's Ranges, South Australia, September 2017

61                 RED KANGAROO                   Macropus rufus 

AUSTRALIA               61

Largest of all the kangaroos; largest land mammal native to Australia. Found across the mainland except in more fertile areas in south, east coast and northern rainforests. 75-95% of diet made up of green grasses. Kidneys efficiently concentrate urine to allow conservation of water which allows survival in arid areas.

LONG-NOSED POTOROO

I forget where this photograph was taken, may have been captive or in the wild; other photographs taken in the wild in NSW are on an old computer waiting to be recovered, and then will be posted.

60                   LONG NOSED POTOROO              Potoroos tridactylus

AUSTRALIA                

Solitary; non-territorial; nocturnal; elusive. Omnivore: eats underground fruiting bodies of fungi, roots, fruits, flowers, seeds, insects and their larvae. Two subspecies: tridactylous, found in southern highlands of NSW and SW Victoria; apicalis, found in Tasmania.

HOUSE MOUSE

Photographed at Parkes, NSW, September 2017

59                   HOUSE MOUSE                 Mus musculus

AUSTRALIA                 59

Introduced. Found right across the continent. Found in most habitat. Adapted to human habitat. populations fluctuate with climate and food supply.