LITTLE RED FLYING FOX

72                 LITTLE RED FLYING-FOX                  Pteropus scapulatus

AUSTRALIA                72

Found across coastal and sub-coastal areas of n and e Australia from Shark Bay (WA) to n Victoria. Roosts by day in stream side trees and feeds in wide range of tropical, subtropical and temperate forests and woodlands. Feeds mostly on eucalyptus and melaleuca nectar, also native and cultivated fruit. Partially nomadic.

BRUSH-TAILED ROCK WALLABY

Photographed at Tibinbilla Nature Reserve, Canberra, October 2017

71                BRUSH-TAILED ROCK WALLABY              Petrogale penicillata

AUSTRALIA               71

Range along Dividing Range from 100 kms nw of Brisbanes. to Upper SnowyR in e Victoria and Grampians, w. inland to Warrumbungles, NSW. Inhabits rock piles and cliffs with many crevices. Vulnerable. Agile on rocks and sloping trees; gregarious, mostly nocturnal.

OFFSHORE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN

70              OFFSHORE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN                Tursiops truncatus

AUSTRALIA              70

Also known as Common Bottlenose Dolphin. Found around all Australian shores out to continental shelf; more common around south coast. Gregarious in small groups of mostly less than 20; opportunistic feeder but mostly fish and squid. Regularly around boats.

QUOKKA

Photographed on Rottnest Island, Western Australia.

69                   QUOKKA                 Setonix brachyurus

AUSTRALIA                69

Rare and restricted in sw WA and on Rottnest Island. Mostly nocturnal; gregarious in large groups at good food sources. Browses and grazes, eating grasses, sedges, succulents and foliage of shrubs.

WATER RAT

Photographed in Durikai State Forest, se Queensland.

68                  WATER RAT                    Hydromys chrysogaster

AUSTRALIA                     68

Also known as Rakali. Highly adapted to aquatic life. Widespread and common in much of coastal n and e Australia, including Tasmania; inland rivers, creeks, estuaries, particularly in large cities. Mostly nocturnal. Brings food to feeding platform to eat; forages for aquatic vertebrates, fish, frogs, small birds.

EASTERN HORSESHOE BAT

Photographed at Kingfisher Lodge, Julatten, Queensland

67                EASTERN HORSESHOE BAT                 Rhinolophus megaphyllus

AUSTRALIA               67

Belong to family Rhinolophidae. Distinguished by horse-shoe shaped fleshy area around nose. Found in warm, humid caves, holes and cracks in rocks, mines, tunnels and sometimes buildings. Hibernate in colder months in southern Australia. Hunt insects and non-flying insects and spiders; flying close to ground or foliage to hunt but carry to roost to eat. Vulnerable.