View source for Fauna of Australia

{{short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Wildlife of Australia}}
[[Image:Kangur.rudy.drs.jpg|thumb|The [[red kangaroo]] is the largest extant [[Macropodidae|macropod]] and is one of Australia's heraldic animals, appearing with the [[emu]] on the [[coat of arms of Australia]].<ref name="Egerton, p. 44">Egerton, p. 44.</ref>]]
The '''fauna of Australia''' consists of a large variety of animals; some 46% of birds, 69% of mammals, 94% of amphibians, and 93% of reptiles that inhabit [[Australia (continent)|the continent]] are [[Endemism|endemic]] to it.<ref name=":0">{{Cite report|url=https://soe.environment.gov.au/sites/default/files/soe2016-biodiversity-launch-version2-24feb17.pdf?v=1488792935|title=State of the Environment 2016: Biodiversity|last1=Cresswell|first1=Ian|last2=Murphy|first2=Helen T.|date=2017|publisher=Commonwealth of Australia Department of the Environment and Energy|access-date=26 August 2021|archive-date=26 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826110958/https://soe.environment.gov.au/sites/default/files/soe2016-biodiversity-launch-version2-24feb17.pdf?v=1488792935}}</ref>{{Rp|4}} This high level of endemism can be attributed to the continent's long geographic isolation, [[plate tectonics|tectonic]] stability, and the effects of a unique pattern of [[climate change]] on the soil and [[Flora of Australia|flora]] over geological time. A unique feature of Australia's fauna is the relative scarcity of native [[placentalia|placental]] mammals. Consequently, the [[marsupial]]s – a group of mammals that raise their young in a [[pouch (marsupial)|pouch]], including the [[Macropodidae|macropod]]s, [[Phalangeriformes|possums]] and [[dasyuromorphia|dasyuromorphs]] – occupy many of the [[ecological niche]]s placental animals occupy elsewhere in the world. Australia is home to two of the five known extant species of [[monotreme]]s and has numerous [[venom (poison)|venomous]] species, which include the [[platypus]], [[spider]]s, [[scorpion]]s, [[octopus]], [[jellyfish]], [[mollusc]]s, [[stonefish]], and [[stingray]]s. Uniquely, Australia has more venomous than non-venomous species of [[snake]]s.

The settlement of Australia by [[Indigenous Australians]] between 48,000 and 70,000 years ago<ref>Josephine Flood (2004) Archaeology of the Dreamtime, J.B. Publishing, Marleston p. 283 {{ISBN|1-876622-50-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Rasmussen | first1 = M | display-authors = etal | year = 2011 | title = An Aboriginal Australian genome reveals separate human dispersals into Asia | journal = Science | volume = 334 | issue = 6052| pages = 94–98 | doi=10.1126/science.1211177 | pmid=21940856 | pmc=3991479| bibcode = 2011Sci...334...94R}}</ref> and by Europeans from 1788, has significantly affected the fauna. Hunting, the introduction of non-native species, and land-management practices involving the modification or destruction of habitats have led to numerous [[extinction]]s.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|8–9}}  Based on the [[list of Australian animals extinct in the Holocene]], about 33 [[Mammal|mammals]] (27 from the mainland, including the [[thylacine]]), 24 [[Bird|birds]] (three from the mainland), one [[reptile]], and three [[frog]] [[species]] or [[subspecies]] are strongly believed to have become extinct in Australia during the [[Holocene]] epoch. These figures exclude dubious [[Taxon|taxa]] like the [[Roper River scrub robin]] (''Drymodes superciliaris colcloughi'') and possibly extinct taxa like the [[Christmas Island shrew]] (''Crocidura trichura''). Unsustainable land use still threatens the survival of many species.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|8–9}}  To target threats to the survival of its fauna, Australia has passed wide-ranging federal and state legislation and established numerous [[protected areas of Australia|protected areas]].<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|v}}

==Origins and history==
{{Main|Natural history of Australia}}
[[Image:Laurasia-Gondwana.png|thumb|Evidence suggests that Australia was a part of the supercontinent [[Gondwana]]]]
Both [[geology of Australia|geologic]] and climatic events helped to make Australia's fauna unique.<ref>Egerton, pp. 14, 20.</ref> Australia was once part of the southern supercontinent [[Gondwana]],<ref>Egerton, p. 20.</ref> which also included South America, Africa, India and Antarctica. Gondwana began to break up 140&nbsp;million years ago (MYA); 50 MYA Australia separated from Antarctica and was relatively isolated until the collision of the [[Indo-Australian Plate]] with Asia in the [[Miocene]] epoch 5.3 MYA. The establishment and [[evolution]] of the present-day fauna was apparently shaped by the unique climate and the geology of the continent. As Australia [[continental drift|drifted]], it was, to some extent, isolated from the effects of global climate change. The unique fauna that originated in Gondwana, such as the marsupials, survived and [[adaptive radiation|adapted]] in Australia.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nowak |first1=Ronald M. |title=Walker's Marsupials of the World |date=2005 |publisher=JHU Press |isbn=978-0-8018-8211-1 |page=5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ldXtY8ppxSQC&pg=PA5 |language=en}}</ref>

After the [[Miocene]], fauna of Asian origin were able to establish themselves in Australia. The [[Wallace Line]] — the hypothetical line separating the [[zoogeography|zoogeographical]] regions of Asia and Australasia — marks the tectonic boundary between the [[Eurasian Plate|Eurasian]] and Indo-Australian plates. This continental boundary prevented the formation of land bridges and resulted in a distinct zoological distribution, with limited overlap, of most Asian and Australian fauna, with the exception of birds. Following the emergence of the circumpolar current in the mid-[[Oligocene]] era (some 15 MYA), the Australian climate became increasingly arid, giving rise to a diverse group of arid-specialised organisms, just as the wet tropical and seasonally wet areas gave rise to their own uniquely adapted species.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Morton |first1=Steve |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RDBcEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA12|title=Australian Deserts|date=February 2022 |page=12 |publisher=Csiro |isbn=978-1-4863-0600-8 }}</ref>

==Mammals==
{{Main|Mammals of Australia}}
[[File:Thylacinus.jpg|thumb|Becoming extinct in 1936, the [[Thylacine|Tasmanian tiger]] was the largest carnivorous marsupial to have survived into modern times.<ref name=e77>Egerton, p. 77.</ref>]]
Australia has a rich mammalian fossil history, as well as a variety of extant mammalian species, dominated by the marsupials, currently however there is limited taxonomic research into Australia's mammals.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Action Plan for Australian Mammals 2012|author1=Woinarski, John|author2=Burbidge, Andrew|author3=Harrison, Peter|publisher=CSIRO Publishing|year=2014|url=http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/7010.htm|isbn=978-0-643-10873-8|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607002756/http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/7010.htm|archive-date=7 June 2014}}</ref><ref>Egerton, p. 34.</ref> The fossil record shows that monotremes have been present in Australia since the [[Early Cretaceous]] 145–99 MYA,<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Archer | first1 = M. | display-authors = etal | year = 1985 | title = First Mesozoic mammal from Australia-an early Cretaceous monotreme | journal = [[Nature (journal)|Nature]] | volume = 318 | issue = 6044| pages = 363–366 | doi=10.1038/318363a0| bibcode = 1985Natur.318..363A | s2cid = 4342084 }}</ref> and that [[marsupial]]s and placental mammals date from the [[Eocene]] 56–34 MYA,<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Godthelp | first1 = H. | display-authors = etal | year = 1992 | title = Earliest known Australian Tertiary mammal fauna | journal = Nature | volume = 356 | issue = 6369| pages = 514–516 | doi=10.1038/356514a0| bibcode = 1992Natur.356..514G | s2cid = 4338242 }}</ref> when modern mammals first appeared in the fossil record. Although terrestrial marsupials and placental mammals did coexist in Australia in the Eocene, only the marsupials have survived to the present. Non-volant placental mammals made their reappearance in Australia in the Miocene, when Australia moved closer to [[Indonesia]], and [[rodent]]s started to appear reliably in the Late Miocene fossil record. The marsupials evolved to fill specific ecological niches, and in many cases they are physically similar to the placental mammals in [[Eurasia]] and North America that occupy similar niches, a phenomenon known as [[convergent evolution]].<ref>Townsend, C.R. et al. 2008. Ecology's evolutionary backdrop, in ''Essentials of Ecology'' 3rd edition. Wiley-Blackwell {{ISBN|978-1-4051-5658-5}}</ref> For example, the top predator in Australia, the [[thylacine]],<ref name="e77"/> bore a striking resemblance to [[canidae|canid]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Callaway|first=Ewen|date=2017-12-11|title=Tasmanian wolf genome offers clues to its extinction|journal=Nature|language=en|volume=552|issue=7684|pages=156–157|doi=10.1038/d41586-017-08368-1|bibcode=2017Natur.552..156C|doi-access=free|pmid=29239379 }}</ref> [[Petauridae|Gliding possums]] and [[flying squirrel]]s have similar adaptations enabling their arboreal lifestyle;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/ringtail-and-greater-gliding-possums-pseudocheiridae|title=Ringtail and Greater Gliding Possums (Pseudocheiridae) {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|website=www.encyclopedia.com|access-date=2020-02-10}}</ref> and the [[numbat]] and [[anteaters]] are both digging insectivores.<ref>Egerton, p. 78.</ref> For the most part, mammals are not a highly visible part of the faunal landscape, as most species are nocturnal and many arboreal.

===Monotremes and marsupials===
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Two of the five living species of [[monotreme]] occur in Australia: the [[platypus]] and the [[short-beaked echidna]],<ref name="e36">Egerton, p. 36.</ref> the other three being [[Long-beaked echidna|echidnas]] that only occur in New Guinea. Monotremes differ from other mammals in their methods of reproduction; in particular, they lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.<ref name="e36" /> The platypus — a [[venom]]ous, egg-laying, duck-billed amphibious mammal — is considered to be one of the strangest creatures in the animal kingdom. When it was first presented by [[Joseph Banks]] to English naturalists, it was thought to be a hoax.<ref name="e36" /><ref name="m44">Menkhorst and Knight, p. 44.</ref> The short-beaked echidna is covered in hairy spikes, with a tubular snout in the place of a mouth, and a tongue that can move in, and out of the snout at a rate of 100 times a minute to capture [[termite]]s.<ref name=m44/><ref name=e37>Egerton, p. 37.</ref>
[[Image:SpottedQuoll 2005 SeanMcClean.jpg|left|thumb|The [[spotted quoll]] is mainland Australia's largest carnivorous marsupial, and an [[endangered species]].<ref>Egerton, pp. 70–76.</ref><ref name=m48>Menkhorst and Knight, p. 48.</ref>]]
Australia has the world's largest, and most diverse range of [[marsupial]]s.<ref name=e39>Egerton, p. 39.</ref> Marsupials are characterised by the presence of a pouch, in which they rear their young after birth.<ref name=e39/> The carnivorous marsupials — [[Dasyuromorphia]] — are represented by two surviving families: the [[Dasyuridae]] with 51 members, and the Myrmecobiidae with the [[numbat]] as its sole extant species.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Cooper, C. E. | year = 2011 | title = ''Myrmecobius fasciatus'' (Dasyuromorphia: Myrmecobiidae) | journal = Mammalian Species | volume = 43 | issue = 1 | pages = 129–140 | doi = 10.1644/881.1| doi-access = free}}</ref> The Tasmanian tiger was the largest Dasyuromorphia<ref name=m46>Menkhorst and Knight, p. 46.</ref> and the last living specimen of the family [[Thylacinidae]] died in captivity in 1936.<ref name="e77" /> The world's largest surviving carnivorous marsupial is the [[Tasmanian devil]]; it is the size of a small dog and can hunt, although it is mainly a scavenger.<ref name=m46/><ref name=e69>Egerton, p. 69.</ref> It became extinct on the mainland some 600 years ago, and is now found only in [[Tasmania]].<ref name=e69/> There are four species of [[quoll]], or "native cat", all of which are threatened species.<ref name=m48/> The eastern quoll for example is believed to have been extinct on the mainland since the 1960s, though there are efforts to reintroduce it.<ref>{{Cite web|title=In Situ Work|url=http://conservationjournal.world/in-situ-work/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905132154/http://conservationjournal.world/in-situ-work/|archive-date=5 September 2018|website=Conjour}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Smith|first=Ainslie Drewitt|date=29 October 2020|title=Newborn eastern quoll joeys to be tracked with tail transmitters|work=ABC News Illawarra|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-29/newborn-quoll-joeys-to-be-tracked-with-tail-transmitters/12823180|access-date=26 August 2021}}</ref> The remainder of the Dasyuridae are referred to as "marsupial mice";<ref name=e68>Egerton, p. 68.</ref> most weigh less than 100&nbsp;g.<ref>{{cite book|editor= Macdonald, D.|author= Lee, A.K.|year= 1984 |title= The Encyclopedia of Mammals|publisher= Facts on File|location= New York|pages= [https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/838 838–845]|isbn= 978-0-87196-871-5|url= https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/838}}</ref> There are two species of [[marsupial mole]] — order [[Notoryctemorphia]] — that inhabit the deserts of Western Australia. These rare, blind and earless carnivorous creatures spend most of their time underground; little is known about them.<ref>Egerton, p. 57.</ref><ref>Menkhorst and Knight, p. 52.</ref>
[[Image:Sugies03 hp.jpg|thumb|The [[sugar glider]]]]
The [[bandicoot]]s and [[bilby|bilbies]] — order [[Peramelemorphia]] — are marsupial [[omnivore]]s.<ref>Egerton, pp. 78–79.</ref> There are seven extant species in Australia, most of which are endangered.<ref name=mb>Menkhorst and Knight, pp. 80–84.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Types of Bandicoots|url=http://www.bandicoot.net.au/types_of_bandicoots.htm|access-date=7 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317072153/http://www.bandicoot.net.au/types_of_bandicoots.htm|archive-date=17 March 2011}}</ref> These small creatures share several characteristic physical features: a plump, arch-backed body with a long, delicately tapering snout, large upright ears, long, thin legs, and a thin tail.<ref name=mb/> The evolutionary origin of this group is unclear, because they share characteristics from both carnivorous and herbivorous marsupials.
[[Image:Australia Cairns Koala.jpg|left|thumb|The [[koala]] does not normally need to drink, because it can obtain all of the moisture it needs by eating leaves.]]
Marsupials with two front teeth (diprotodont) on the lower jaw and [[Syndactyl|syndactyly]] are classified in the order [[Diprotodontia]], and further into the suborders [[Vombatiformes]], [[Macropodiformes]] and [[Phalangerida]]. The Vombatiformes include the koala and the three species of [[wombat]]. One of Australia's best-known marsupials, the [[koala]] is an arboreal species that feeds on the leaves of various species of [[eucalyptus]].<ref name=m86>Menkhorst and Knight, p. 86.</ref> Wombats, on the other hand, live on the ground and feed on [[Poaceae|grasses]], [[Cyperaceae|sedges]] and [[root]]s.<ref name=m86/> Wombats use their diprotodont teeth and powerful claws to dig extensive burrow systems; they are mainly [[crepuscular]] and [[nocturnal animal|nocturnal]].<ref name=m86/>

The [[Phalangerida]] includes six families and 26 species of [[Phalangeriformes|possum]] and three families with 53 species of [[Macropodidae|macropod]]. The possums are a diverse group of arboreal marsupials and vary in size from the [[little pygmy possum]], weighing just 7&nbsp;g,<ref>Menkhorst and Knight, p. 92.</ref> to the cat-sized [[Common ringtail possum|common ringtail]] and [[Common brushtail possum|brushtail]] possums.<ref>Egerton, p. 60.</ref><ref>Menkhorst and Knight, p. 90.</ref> The [[Sugar glider|sugar]] and [[squirrel glider]]s are common species of gliding possum, found in the eucalypt forests of eastern Australia, while the [[feathertail glider]] is the smallest glider species.<ref>Egerton, pp. 64–65.</ref><ref>Menkhorst and Knight, p. 94.</ref> The gliding possums have membranes called "patagia" that extend from the fifth finger of their forelimb back to the first toe of their hind foot. These membranes, when outstretched, allow them to glide between trees.

The macropods are divided into three families: the [[Musky rat-kangaroo|Hypsiprymnodontidae]], with the musky rat-kangaroo as its only member;<ref>Egerton, p. 55.</ref> the [[Potoroidae]], with 11 species; and the [[Macropodidae]], with 45 species.<ref>Menkhorst and Knight, pp. 17–18.</ref> Macropods are found in all Australian environments except alpine areas. The Potoroidae include the bettongs, potoroos and rat-kangaroos, small species that make nests and carry plant material with their tails.<ref>Menkhorst and Knight, pp. 17, 104–110.</ref> The Macropodiae include [[kangaroo]]s, [[wallaby|wallabies]] and associated species; size varies widely within this family. Most macropods have large hind legs and long, narrow hind feet,<ref>Menkhorst and Knight, pp. 17–18, 110–120.</ref> with a distinctive arrangement of four toes, and powerfully muscled [[Tail (anatomy)|tail]]s, which they use to hop around.<ref name=e42>Egerton, p. 42.</ref> The musky rat-kangaroo is the smallest macropod and the only species that is quadrupedal not bipedal,<ref>Menkhorst and Knight, p. 110.</ref> while the male [[red kangaroo]] is the largest, reaching a height of about 2&nbsp;m and weighing up to 85&nbsp;kg.<ref name="Egerton, p. 44"/><ref>Menkhorst and Knight, p. 120.</ref>

===Placental mammals===
[[Image:Dingo2.jpg|thumb|The [[dingo]] was the first placental mammal introduced to Australia by humans, around 4,000 years ago.<ref>Menkhorst and Knight, p. 200.</ref><ref name=e82>Egerton, p. 82.</ref>]]
Australia has indigenous placental mammals from two orders: the bats — order Chiroptera — represented by six families; and the mice and rats — order [[Rodent]]ia, family [[Muridae]]. There are only two endemic [[genus|genera]] of bats,<ref name=e82/> although 7% of the world's bat species live in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Australia Inc.|first=Wildcare|title=Bats – Wildcare Australia|url=http://wildcare.org.au/species-information/bats/#:~:text=Australia%20has%2077%20different%20species,at%20least%2031%20different%20species.|website=Wildcare Australia Inc.|access-date=9 March 2021|archive-date=12 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312025808/https://wildcare.org.au/species-information/bats/#:~:text=Australia%20has%2077%20different%20species,at%20least%2031%20different%20species.}}</ref> Rodents first arrived in Australia 5–10 MYA,<ref name=e82/> undergoing a wide radiation to produce the species collectively known as the "old endemic" rodents.<ref name=e93>Egerton, p. 93.</ref> The old endemics are represented by 14 extant genera.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} A million years ago, the [[rat]] entered Australia from [[New Guinea]] and evolved into seven species of ''Rattus'', collectively called the "new endemics".<ref name=e93/>

Since human settlement many additional [[Placentalia|placental]] mammals have been introduced to Australia and are now [[feral]].<ref name=e82/> The first placental mammal introduced to Australia was the [[dingo]].<ref name=e82/> Fossil evidence suggests that people from the north brought the dingo to Australia about 5,000 years ago.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Savolainen | first1 = P. | display-authors = etal | year = 2004 | title = A detailed picture of the origin of the Australian dingo, obtained from the study of mitochondrial DNA | journal = Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America | volume = 101 | issue = 33| pages = 12387–12390 | doi = 10.1073/pnas.0401814101 | pmid = 15299143 | pmc=514485| bibcode = 2004PNAS..10112387S | doi-access = free }}</ref> When Europeans settled Australia they intentionally released many species into the wild including the [[red fox]], [[European hare]], and the [[European rabbit]].<ref name=e82/><ref>Egerton, pp. 105–107.</ref> Other domestic species have escaped and over time have produced wild populations including the [[banteng]], [[cat]], [[fallow deer]], [[red deer]], [[sambar deer]], [[rusa deer]], [[chital]], [[hog deer]], [[horse]], [[donkey]], [[Domestic pig|pig]], [[Domestic goat|goat]], [[water buffalo]], and the [[Dromedary|camel]].<ref>Egerton, pp. 106–110.</ref><ref>Menkhorst and Knight, pp. 208–220.</ref> Only three species of non-native placental mammal were not deliberately introduced to Australia: the [[house mouse]], [[black rat]] and the [[brown rat]].
[[Image:Dugong.jpg|thumb|The [[dugong]] is an endangered species; the largest remaining population is found in Australian waters.<ref name=e102>Egerton, p. 102.</ref><ref name=m254>Menkhorst and Knight, p. 254.</ref>|left]]
Forty-six marine mammals from the infraorder [[Cetacea]] are found in Australian coastal waters. Since the majority of these species have global distribution, some authors do not consider them to be Australian species. There are eleven species of [[baleen whale]] present; [[humpback whale]]s, [[southern right whale]]s, dwarf [[minke whale]]s and [[pygmy blue whale]]s are more commonly observed.<ref>Menkhorst and Knight, pp. 22, 240.</ref> There are 37 species of toothed whale, which include all six genera of the family [[Beaked whale|Ziphiidae]], and 21 species of [[oceanic dolphin]], including the [[Australian snubfin dolphin]], a species first described in 2005.<ref>{{cite news|last=AAP|title=New species of Reef dolphin discovered|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/new-species-of-reef-dolphin-discovered/2005/07/04/1120329383156.html|access-date=7 January 2012|newspaper=The Age|date=5 July 2005|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207084927/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/new-species-of-reef-dolphin-discovered/2005/07/04/1120329383156.html|archive-date=7 December 2013}}</ref> Some oceanic dolphins, such as the [[orca]], can be found in all waters around the continent; others, such as the [[Irrawaddy dolphin]], are confined to the warm northern waters.<ref>Menkhorst and Knight, pp. 224–234.</ref> The [[dugong]] is an endangered marine species that inhabits the waters of north-eastern and north-western Australia, particularly the [[Torres Strait]].<ref name=e82/><ref name=m254/> It can grow up to 3&nbsp;m long and weigh as much as 400&nbsp;kg.<ref name=m254/> The dugong is the only herbivorous marine mammal in Australia, feeding on [[sea grass]] in coastal areas.<ref name=m254/><ref>Lawler et al. 2002. [http://www.reef.crc.org.au/publications/brochures/dugong_2002.pdf Dugongs in the Great Barrier Reef: Current State of Knowledge] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185455/http://www.reef.crc.org.au/publications/brochures/dugong_2002.pdf |date=21 February 2014 }}. [[Cooperative Research Centre]] (CRC) for The [[Great Barrier Reef]] World Heritage Area.</ref> The destruction of sea grass beds is a threat to the survival of this species.<ref name=e102/> Eleven species of seal — family [[Pinniped]]ia — live off the southern coast.

==Birds==
[[Image:Emu showing feet.jpg|thumb|The [[emu]] is the second largest extant species of bird. It is a heraldic bird, appearing on the [[coat of arms of Australia]].]]
{{Main|Birds of Australia}}
Australia and its territories are home to around 800 species of bird;<ref>Egerton, p. 122.</ref> 45% of these are endemic to Australia.<ref>{{cite book|title=Numbers of Living Species in Australia and the World|author=Chapman, A.D.|year=2009|publisher=Australian Biological Resources Study|page=14|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/2ee3f4a1-f130-465b-9c7a-79373680a067/files/nlsaw-2nd-complete.pdf|edition=2nd|isbn=978-0-642-56861-8|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918185050/http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/2ee3f4a1-f130-465b-9c7a-79373680a067/files/nlsaw-2nd-complete.pdf|archive-date=18 September 2017}}</ref> The fossil record of birds in Australia is patchy; however, there are records of the ancestors of contemporary species as early as the [[Oligocene|Late Oligocene]].<ref>
[[Australian Museum]]. 2001. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080223081807/http://www.amonline.net.au/birds/research/figure1.htm Fossil history of birds: fossil history overview] Retrieved from Internet Archive 16 December 2013.</ref> Birds with a Gondwanan history include the flightless [[ratite]]s (the [[emu]] and [[southern cassowary]]),<ref>Egerton, pp. 124–125.</ref> [[megapode]]s (the [[malleefowl]] and [[Australian brush-turkey]]),<ref>Egerton, pp. 126–127.</ref> and a huge group of endemic [[Psittaciformes|parrot]]s, order Psittaciformes. Australian parrots comprise a sixth of the world's parrots,<ref>Egerton, p. 193.</ref> including many [[cockatoo]]s and [[galah]]s.<ref>Egerton, pp. 192–206.</ref> The [[kookaburra]] is the largest species of the [[kingfisher]] family, known for its call, which sounds uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter.<ref>Egerton, p. 221.</ref> The [[Brolga]] is the only crane exclusive to Australia, and it shares habitat with the more widely distributed [[Sarus crane|Sarus Cranes]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sundar |first1=K. S. Gopi |last2=Grant |first2=John D. |last3=Inka |first3=Veltheim |last4=Kittur |first4=Swati |last5=Brandis |first5=Kate |last6=Michael |first6=McCarthy |last7=Scambler |first7=Elinor |date=2018 |title=Sympatric cranes in northern Australia: abundance, breeding success, habitat preference and diet |journal=Emu – Austral Ornithology |volume=119 |issue=1 |pages=79–89|doi=10.1080/01584197.2018.1537673 |hdl=1959.4/unsworks_52806 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>[[Image:Gang-gang female MJC01.jpg|left|thumb|upright|A female [[gang-gang cockatoo]]]]The [[passerine]]s of Australia, also known as songbirds or perching birds,<ref>Egerton, p. 224.</ref> include [[wren]]s,<ref>Egerton, pp. 229–236.</ref> [[Petroicidae|robin]]s,<ref>Egerton, pp. 248–250.</ref> the [[Artamidae|magpie group]],<ref>Egerton, pp. 265–268.</ref> [[Acanthiza|thornbill]]s,<ref>Egerton, p. 237.</ref> [[pardalote]]s,<ref>Egerton, pp. 233–234.</ref> the huge [[honeyeater]] family,<ref>Egerton, pp. 238–246.</ref> [[Climacteridae|treecreepers]],<ref>Egerton, p. 228.</ref> [[lyrebird]]s,<ref>Egerton, pp. 226–227.</ref> [[birds of paradise]] and [[bowerbird]]s.<ref>Egerton, pp. 268, 272.</ref> The [[satin bowerbird]] has attracted the interest of evolutionary psychologists; it has a complex courtship ritual in which the male creates a bower filled with blue, shiny items to woo mates.<ref>Egerton, p. 273.</ref>
Relatively recent colonists from [[Eurasia]] are [[Hirundinidae|swallow]]s,{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} [[lark]]s,<ref>Egerton, p. 275.</ref> [[thrush (bird)|thrush]]es,<ref>Egerton, pp. 290–291.</ref> [[cisticola]]s, [[sunbird]]s, and some [[Bird of prey|raptors]], including the large [[wedge-tailed eagle]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} A number of bird species have been introduced by humans; some, like the [[European goldfinch]] and [[European greenfinch|greenfinch]],<ref>Egerton, p. 282.</ref> coexist happily with Australian species,{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} while others, such as the [[common starling]], [[common blackbird]], [[house sparrow]] and [[Indian mynah]], are destructive of some native bird species and thus destabilise the native ecosystem.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}

About 200 species of [[seabird]] live on the Australian coast, including many species of migratory seabird. Australia is at the southern end of the [[East Asian-Australasian Flyway]] for migratory water birds, which extends from [[Russian Far East|Far-East Russia]] and Alaska through [[Southeast Asia]] to Australia and New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Nell |last2=Lee |first2=Woojin |last3=Dotto |first3=Carlotta |title=The planet's most threatened flight path, and the $3 billion plan to protect it |url=https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2022/07/world/most-threatened-flight-path-c2e-spc/ |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=www.cnn.com}}</ref> About two million birds travel this route to and from Australia each year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016 |title=Wetlands and migratory shorebirds |url=https://www.dcceew.gov.au/water/wetlands/publications/factsheet-wetlands-migratory-shorebirds |website=Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water}}</ref> One very common large seabird is the [[Australian pelican]], which can be found in most waterways in Australia.<ref>Egerton, pp. 146–147.</ref> The [[ Australian little penguin]] is the only species of [[penguin]] that breeds on mainland Australia.<ref>Egerton, p. 136.</ref>

==Amphibians and reptiles==
{{Main|Amphibians of Australia|Reptiles of Australia}}
[[Image:Pobblebonk02.jpg|thumb|The [[eastern banjo frog]] is a common frog species across eastern Australia.<ref>Egerton, pp. 370–371.</ref>]]
Australia has four families of native frogs and one introduced [[toad]], the [[Bufo marinus|cane toad]].<ref>Egerton, pp. 366, 379, 388–389.</ref> In 1935 the cane toad was introduced to Australia in a failed attempt to control pests in [[sugarcane]] crops. It has since become a devastating pest, spreading across northern Australia. As well as competing with native insectivores for food, the cane toad produces a venom that is toxic to native fauna,<ref name=e389>Egerton, p. 389.</ref> as well as to humans.<ref>{{cite web | last = Invasive Species Specialist Group | author-link = Invasive Species Specialist Group | title = Ecology of Bufo marinus | date = 1 June 2006 | work = Global Invasive Species Database | url = http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=113&fr=1&sts= | access-date = 2 July 2009 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090817231108/http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=113&fr=1&sts= | archive-date = 17 August 2009 }}</ref> The [[Myobatrachidae]], or southern frogs,<ref>Egerton, p. 366.</ref> are Australia's largest group of frogs, with 112 species classified into anywhere from 17 to 22 genera.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/publications/fauna-of-australia/pubs/volume2a/07-fauna-2a-amphibia-myobatrachidae.pdf |title=7. Family Myobatrachidae |author1=Littlejohn, Murray J. |author2=Roberts, J. Dale |author3=Watson, Graham F. |author4=Davies, Margaret |year=1993 |work=Fauna of Australia series, Environment Australia website |publisher=Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Government |access-date=19 August 2010 |location=Canberra |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320221926/http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/publications/fauna-of-australia/pubs/volume2a/07-fauna-2a-amphibia-myobatrachidae.pdf |archive-date=20 March 2011 }}</ref> Notable members of this group are the colourful and endangered [[corroboree frog (disambiguation)|corroboree frogs]].<ref>Egerton, p. 377.</ref> The [[tree frog]]s, from family Hylidae,<ref>Egerton, p. 379.</ref> are common in high rainfall areas on the north and east coasts;<ref>Egerton, pp. 379–387.</ref> there are 77 Australian species from three genera.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} The 18 species from two genera of the [[Microhylidae]] frogs are restricted to the rainforests of northern Australia and nearby habitats;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/publications/fauna-of-australia/pubs/volume2a/09-fauna-2a-amphibia-microhylidae.pdf |title=9. Family Microhylidae |last=Burton, Thomas C. |year=1993 |work=Fauna of Australia series, Environment Australia website |publisher=Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Government |access-date=19 August 2010 |location=Canberra |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320222003/http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/publications/fauna-of-australia/pubs/volume2a/09-fauna-2a-amphibia-microhylidae.pdf |archive-date=20 March 2011 }}</ref> the smallest species, the [[scanty frog]], is from this family.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} There is a single species from the world's dominant frog group, family [[Ranidae]] – the [[Australian wood frog]] – which only occurs in the Queensland rainforests.<ref name=e388>Egerton, p. 388.</ref> As elsewhere, there has been a precipitous [[decline in frog populations|decline in Australia's frog populations]] in recent years.<ref name=e385/> Although the full reasons for the decline are uncertain, it can be at least partly attributed to the fatal amphibian [[chytrid|fungal]] disease [[chytridiomycosis]].<ref name=e385>Egerton, p. 385.</ref> Another theory for the decline might be, as research shows, that species from the Southern Hemisphere are on average 4.6 million years old, compared to an average 2.9 million years old for the Northern Hemisphere: Researchers believe this age difference is because of the history of severe ice ages in the Northern Hemisphere, which may drive older species to extinction.<ref name="Young">{{cite news|url=http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/australian-amphibians-among-oldest-in-the-world.htm/ |title=Australian species are older, study says |last=Young |first=Emma |date=21 July 2010 |work=Australian Geographic |access-date=5 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725081627/http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/australian-amphibians-among-oldest-in-the-world.htm |archive-date=25 July 2010 }}</ref>

[[Image:SaltwaterCrocodile('Maximo').jpg|left|thumb|The [[saltwater crocodile]] is the largest species of crocodile in the world.<ref name=e299>Egerton, p. 299.</ref>]]

Australia has two species of [[crocodile]]. The [[saltwater crocodile]], known colloquially as the "salty", is the largest living crocodile species; reaching over 7&nbsp;m,<ref>Egerton, pp. 298–299.</ref> and weighing over 1,000&nbsp;kg,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/csp_cpor.htm |title=Crocodilian Species – Australian Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) |publisher=Flmnh.ufl.edu |access-date=24 July 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717042556/http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/CNHC/csp_cpor.htm |archive-date=17 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.australianfauna.com/saltwatercrocodile.php |title=Saltwater Crocodile |publisher=Australianfauna.com |access-date=24 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725033425/http://www.australianfauna.com/saltwatercrocodile.php |archive-date=25 July 2011 }}</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>Wood, The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats. Sterling Pub Co Inc (1983), {{ISBN|978-0-85112-235-9}}</ref> they [[Crocodile attacks in Australia|can and do kill people]].<ref name=e298>Egerton, p. 298.</ref> They live on the coast and in the freshwater rivers and wetlands of northern Australia, and they are farmed for their meat and leather.<ref name=e298/> [[Freshwater crocodile]]s, found only in northern Australia, are not considered dangerous to humans.<ref name=e299/>

The Australian coast is visited by six species of [[Cheloniidae|sea turtle]]: the [[Flatback turtle|flatback]], [[Green sea turtle|green]], [[Hawksbill turtle|hawksbill]], [[olive ridley]], [[Loggerhead sea turtle|loggerhead]] and the [[leatherback sea turtle]]s;<ref>Egerton, pp. 300–302.</ref> all are protected in Australian waters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/species/turtles/index.html |title=Marine Turtles |publisher=Environment.gov.au |date=27 August 2007 |access-date=24 July 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823192139/http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/species/turtles/index.html |archive-date=23 August 2011}}</ref> There are 35 species of Australian freshwater [[turtle]]s from eight genera of the family [[Chelidae]].<ref name=ttwg>[[Turtle Taxonomy Working Group]] [van Dijk PP, Iverson JB, Rhodin AGJ, Shaffer HB, Bour R]. 2014. Turtles of the World, 7th edition: annotated checklist of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution with maps, and conservation status. In: Rhodin AGJ, [[Peter Pritchard|Pritchard PCH]], van Dijk PP, Saumure RA, Buhlmann KA, Iverson JB, [[Russell Mittermeier|Mittermeier RA]] (Editors). Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. [http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Accounts/crm_5_000_checklist_v7_2014.pdf ''Chelonian Research Monographs'' '''5''' (7): 000.329–479] {{webarchive|url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150502204705/http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Accounts/crm_5_000_checklist_v7_2014.pdf |date=2 May 2015}}, doi:10.3854/ crm.5.000.checklist.v7.2014.</ref> The [[pig-nosed turtle]] is the only Australian turtle not of that family.<ref>Egerton, p. 305.</ref> Australia is the only continent without any living species of land tortoises of the [[Testudinoidea]] superfamily<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/publications/fauna-of-australia/pubs/volume2a/15-fauna-2a-chelonia-general.pdf |title=15. General Description and Definition of the Order Chelonia |last=Legler, John M. |year=1993 |work=Fauna of Australia series, Environment Australia website |publisher=Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Government |access-date=19 August 2010 |location=Canberra |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320222149/http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/publications/fauna-of-australia/pubs/volume2a/15-fauna-2a-chelonia-general.pdf |archive-date=20 March 2011}}</ref> besides Antarctica.

[[Image:BlueTonguedLizard 2005 SeanMcClean.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Blue-tongued lizard]]s are amongst the largest species of [[skink]].]]
Australia is the only continent<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-04 |title=There's a potentially dangerous myth about venomous snakes that researchers have proven very wrong |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2022-06-05/venomous-snakes-can-climb-trees-disproving-myth/100861486 |access-date=2024-05-31 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2004 |title=Very venomous but |url=https://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/docs/80VeryVenomousBut.pdf |website=Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Cooperative Research Center for Tropical Savannas Management}}</ref> where venomous snakes outnumber their non-venomous cousins.<ref>Egerton, p. 341.</ref> [[Australian snake habitats|Australian snakes]] belong to seven families. Of these, the most venomous species,{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} including the [[fierce snake]],<ref>Egerton, p. 352.</ref> [[eastern brown snake]],<ref>Egerton, p. 351.</ref> [[taipan]] and [[Tiger snake|eastern tiger snake]] are from the family [[Elapidae]].<ref>Egerton, pp. 352, 356.</ref> Of the 200 species of elapid, 106 are found in Australia<ref>Wilson and Swan (2017), p. 526</ref> and 86 are found only in Australia.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} Thirty-three [[sea snake]]s from family Hydrophiidae inhabit Australia's northern waters; many are extremely venomous. Two species of sea snake from the [[Acrochordidae]] also occur in Australian waters. Australia has only 11 species from the world's most significant snake family [[Colubridae]]; none are endemic, and they are considered to be relatively recent arrivals from Asia. There are 15 [[Pythonidae|python]] species and 45 species of insectivorous [[Typhlopidae|blind snake]].<ref>Wilson and Swan (2017), p. 476</ref>

There are more species of snake in Darwin than any other Australian state capital, with 34 non-marine snake species found in the region, of which 23 have been recorded by professional snake catchers in Darwin itself.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Parkin |first1=Tom |last2=Jolly |first2=Chris J. |last3=de Laive |first3=Alana |last4=von Takach |first4=Brenton |date=2021 |title=Snakes on an urban plain: Temporal patterns of snake activity and human–snake conflict in Darwin, Australia |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aec.12990 |journal=Austral Ecology |language=en |volume=46 |issue=3 |pages=449–462 |doi=10.1111/aec.12990 |bibcode=2021AusEc..46..449P |issn=1442-9985|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Fortunately for the citizens of Darwin, a far smaller proportion of these snakes are highly venomous than is typically found in other cities, due to the low numbers of front-fanged elapid species and dominance of relatively harmless pythons and colubrid species.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lettoof |first1=Damian Christopher |last2=Parkin |first2=Tom |last3=Jolly |first3=Chris James |last4=de Laive |first4=Alana |last5=von Takach |first5=Brenton |date=2023-04-01 |title=Snake life history traits and their association with urban habitat use in a tropical city |journal=Urban Ecosystems |language=en |volume=26 |issue=2 |pages=433–445 |doi=10.1007/s11252-023-01327-x |issn=1573-1642|doi-access=free |bibcode=2023UrbEc..26..433L }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=von Takach |first1=Brenton |last2=Lettoof |first2=Damian Christopher |last3=Parkin |first3=Tom |last4=de Laive |first4=Alana |last5=Allen |first5=Luke |last6=Jolly |first6=Chris J. |date=2023 |title=Analysing spatiotemporal patterns of snake occurrence in an Australian city to help manage human-wildlife conflict |journal=Biodiversity and Conservation |volume=33 |pages=347–360 |language=en |doi=10.1007/s10531-023-02752-2 |issn=1572-9710}}</ref>

[[Image:Perentie Lizard Perth Zoo SMC Spet 2005.jpg|left|thumb|There are 30 species of [[goanna]] in Australia.<ref>Wilson and Swan (2017), p. 458.</ref>]]
There are more than 700 species of lizards in Australia<ref name="Database">{{cite web |url=http://www.reptile-database.org |title=The Reptile Database |publisher=The Reptile Database |access-date=24 July 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102083427/http://reptile-database.org/ |archive-date=2 November 2015}}</ref> with representatives of five families.<ref>Egerton, p. 306.</ref> There are over 130 species in 20 genera of [[gecko]] found throughout the Australian continent.<ref name="Database"/> The [[Pygopodidae]] is a family of limbless lizards endemic to the Australian region;<ref>Egerton, p. 315.</ref> all 39 species from seven genera occur in Australia.<ref name="Database"/> The [[Agamidae]] or dragon lizards are represented by 70 species in 14 genera,<ref name="Database"/> including the [[thorny devil]], [[bearded dragon]] and [[frill-necked lizard]].<ref>Egerton, pp. 319, 323.</ref> There are 30 species of [[monitor lizard]],<ref name="Database"/> family Varanidae, in Australia, where they are commonly known as [[goanna]]s.<ref>Egerton, p. 324.</ref> The largest Australian monitor is the [[perentie]], which can reach up to 2&nbsp;m in length.<ref>Egerton, p. 327.</ref> There are about 450 species of [[skink]] from more than 40 genera, comprising more than 50% of the total Australian lizard fauna;<ref name="Database"/> this group includes the [[blue-tongued lizard]]s.<ref>Egerton, p. 339.</ref>

==Fish==
{{Main|Fish in Australia}}
[[Image:Maccullochella peelii peelii.jpg|thumb|The [[Murray cod]] is Australia's largest wholly freshwater bony fish.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bray|first1=Dianne|last2=Thompson|first2=Vanessa|title=Murray Cod, Maccullochella peelii|url=https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4655|website=Fishes of Australia|access-date=6 October 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009095015/http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4655|archive-date=9 October 2014}}</ref>]]

More than 5,000 species of fish inhabit Australia's waterways;<ref>[[Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation|CSIRO]]. 2004. [http://www.marine.csiro.au/caab/namelist.htm Standard Names of Australian Fish] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503030003/http://www.marine.csiro.au/caab/namelist.htm |date=3 May 2016 }}</ref><ref name=fishes /> of these, 24% are endemic. However, because of the relative scarcity of freshwater waterways, Australia has only about 300 species of freshwater fish.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Allen|first=Gerald R.|title=Field guide to freshwater fishes of Australia|date=2002|publisher=Western Australian Museum|others=S. H. Midgley, M. Allen|isbn=0-7307-5486-3|location=Perth, W.A.|pages=vii, 54-55|oclc=49901785}}</ref> Two families of freshwater fish have ancient origins: the [[arowana]] or bonytongues, and the [[Queensland lungfish]].<ref>Egerton, p. 409.</ref> The Queensland lungfish is the most primitive of the [[lungfish]], having evolved before Australia separated from Gondwana.<ref name=":1" /><ref name = Frentiu>{{cite journal |author1=Frentiu, F.D. |author2=J.R. Ovenden |author3=R. Street |name-list-style=amp | title = Australian lungfish (''Neoceratodus forsteri'': Dipnoi) have low genetic variation at allozyme and mitochondrial DNA loci: a conservation alert? | journal = Conservation Genetics | volume = 2 | issue = 1 | pages = 63–67 | doi = 10.1023/A:1011576116472 | date = 2001 |bibcode=2001ConG....2...63F |s2cid=22778872 }}</ref> One of the smallest freshwater fish, peculiar to the southwest of Western Australia, is the [[lepidogalaxias|salamanderfish]], which can survive desiccation in the dry season by burrowing into mud.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Berra |first=Tim M. |author2=Pusey, Bradley J. |date=October 1997|title=Threatened fishes of the world: ''Lepidogalaxias salamandroides'' Mees, 1961 (Lepidogalaxiidae)|journal=Environmental Biology of Fishes|volume= 50|issue= 2 |pages=201–202|doi=10.1023/A:1007322606248|bibcode=1997EnvBF..50..201B |s2cid=21584756 }}</ref> Other families with a potentially Gondwanan origin include the [[Retropinnidae]], [[Galaxiidae]], [[Aplochitonidae]] and [[Temperate perch|Percichthyidae]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} Apart from the ancient freshwater species, 70% of Australia's freshwater fish have affinities with tropical Indo-Pacific marine species that have adapted to freshwater.<ref>Williams, W.D. and Allen, G.R. 1987. Origins and adaptations of the fauna of inland waters. In D.W. Walton Ed. ''Fauna of Australia'', Volume 1A. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.</ref> These species include freshwater [[lamprey]]s,<ref>Egerton, p. 395.</ref> [[Herrings]], [[Eeltail catfish|catfish]], [[Melanotaeniidae|rainbowfish]], and some 50 species of [[Eleotridae|gudgeon]], including the [[sleepy cod]].<ref>Prokop, pp. 12, 36.</ref> Native freshwater game fish include the [[barramundi]],<ref>Egerton, p. 440.</ref> [[Murray cod]], and [[golden perch]].<ref>Prokop, pp. 10, 18.</ref> Two species of endangered [[River shark|freshwater shark]] are found in the [[Northern Territory]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northern River Shark |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42712/68624151 |website=IUCN Red List|date=19 April 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Speartooth Shark |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/39379/68624306 |website=IUCN Red List|date=20 April 2021 }}</ref>

[[Image:Phyllopteryx taeniolatus1.jpg|thumb|left|The [[weedy sea dragon]], a fish related to [[Syngnathidae|pipefish and seahorses]], is found in the waters around southern Australia.<ref name=e434>Egerton, p. 434.</ref>]]
Several exotic freshwater fish species, including [[brown trout|brown]], [[brook trout|brook]] and [[rainbow trout]], [[Atlantic salmon|Atlantic]] and [[Chinook salmon]], [[redfin perch]], [[common carp]], and [[Mosquitofish in Australia|mosquitofish]], have been introduced to Australian waterways.<ref>Wager, R. and Jackson, P. 1993. ''[http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/action/fish/index.html The Action Plan for Australian Freshwater Fishes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050719035500/http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/action/fish/index.html |date=19 July 2005 }}'', Queensland Department of Primary Industries Fisheries Division {{ISBN|0-642-16818-0}}</ref> The mosquitofish is a particularly aggressive species known for harassing and nipping the fins of other fish. It has been linked to declines and localised extirpations of several small native fish species. The introduced trout species have had serious negative impacts on a number of [[upland and lowland (freshwater ecology)|upland]] native fish species including [[trout cod]], [[Macquarie perch]] and [[mountain galaxias]] species as well as other upland fauna such as the [[spotted tree frog]]. The common carp is strongly implicated in the dramatic loss in waterweed, decline of small native fish species and permanently elevated levels of turbidity in the [[Murray-Darling Basin]] of south west Australia.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}

Most of Australia's fish species are marine, and 75% live in tropical marine environments.<ref name=fishes>{{cite web|last1=Bray|first1=Dianne|title=Introduction to Australia's Fishes|url=http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/content/166|website=Fishes of Australia|access-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822031656/http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/content/166|archive-date=22 August 2014}}</ref> This is partly due to Australia's huge marine territory, covering 9 million km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name=fishes /> Groups of interest include the [[moray eel]]s and [[Holocentridae|squirrelfish]],<ref>Egerton, pp. 413, 420.</ref> as well as the [[pipefish]] and [[seahorses]],<ref>Egerton, pp. 433–434.</ref> whose males incubate their partner's eggs in a specialised pouch.<ref name=e434/> There are 80 species of [[grouper]] in Australian waters,{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} including one of the world's biggest [[Osteichthyes|bony fish]], the [[giant grouper]], which can grow as large as 2.7&nbsp;m and weigh up to 400&nbsp;kg.<ref>{{cite iucn |author=Fennessy, S. |author2=Pollard, D.A. |author3=Samoilys, M. |date=2018 |title=''Epinephelus lanceolatus'' |volume=2018 |article-number=e.T7858A100465809 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T7858A100465809.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> The [[Carangidae|trevally]], a group of 50 species of silver schooling fish, and the [[Australasian snapper|snapper]]s are popular species for commercial fishing.<ref>Egerton, pp. 449, 451.</ref> The [[Great Barrier Reef]] supports a huge variety of small- and medium-sized reef fish, including the [[damselfish]], [[butterflyfish]], [[Marine angelfish|angelfish]],<ref>Egerton, pp. 459–463.</ref> [[goby|gobies]], [[Apogonidae|cardinalfish]], [[wrasse]]es,<ref>Egerton, pp. 446, 467–468, 478.</ref> [[triggerfish]] and [[Acanthuridae|surgeonfish]].<ref>Egerton, pp. 480, 486.</ref> There are several venomous fish, among them several species of [[stonefish]] and [[pufferfish]] and the [[red lionfish]], all of which have toxins that can kill humans.<ref>Egerton, pp. 435. 489–490.</ref> There are 11 venomous species of [[stingray]],{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} the largest of which is the [[smooth stingray]].<ref>Egerton, p. 406.</ref> The [[barracuda]]s are one of the reef's largest species.<ref>Egerton, p. 481.</ref> However, large reef fish should not be eaten for fear of [[ciguatera]] poisoning.

[[Image:Wobbegong.jpg|thumb|The [[spotted wobbegong]] is the largest [[wobbegong]] shark, reaching a length of around 3&nbsp;m<ref>Kuiter, p. 12.</ref>]]
[[Shark]]s inhabit all the coastal waters and estuarine habitats of Australia's coast. There are 166 species, including 30 species of [[requiem shark]], 32 of [[Scyliorhinidae|catshark]], six of [[wobbegong|wobbegong shark]], and 40 of [[Squalidae|dogfish shark]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} There are three species from the family [[Bullhead shark|Heterodontidae]]: the [[Port Jackson shark]], the [[zebra bullhead shark]] and the [[crested bullhead shark]].<ref>Kuiter, p. 8.</ref> In 2004, there were 12 unprovoked [[shark attacks in Australia]], of which two were fatal.<ref>International Shark Attack File. 2005. [http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/statistics/statsw.htm SAF Statistics for the Worldwide Locations with the Highest Shark Attack Activity Since 1990] {{webarchive|url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110217024855/http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/statistics/statsw.htm |date=17 February 2011 }}, Florida Museum of Natural History</ref> Only 3 species of shark pose a significant threat to humans: the [[bull shark]], the [[tiger shark]] and the [[great white shark]]. Some popular beaches in Queensland and [[New South Wales]] are protected by [[shark net]]ting, a method that has reduced the population of both dangerous and harmless shark species through accidental entanglement.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} The overfishing of sharks has also significantly reduced shark numbers in Australian waters, and several species are now endangered.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} A [[megamouth shark]] was found on a [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] beach in 1988;<ref>Egerton, p. 397.</ref> very little is known about this species, but this discovery may indicate the presence of the species in Australian coastal waters.

==Invertebrates==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em; font-size:80%; float:right;"
|- style="background:pink;"
!Taxonomic group
!width="70"|Estimated number of species described
!width="70"|Estimated total number of species in Australia
|-
|[[Porifera]]
|1,476
|~3,500
|-
|[[Cnidaria]]
|1,705
|~2,200
|-
|[[Platyhelminthes]]
|1,593
|~10,000
|-
|[[Acanthocephala]]
|56
|~160
|-
|[[Nematoda]]
|~2,060
|~30,000
|-
|[[Mollusca]]
|~8,700
|~12,250
|-
|[[Annelida]]
|2,192
|~4,230
|-
|[[Onychophora]]
|71
|~80
|-
|[[Crustacea]]
|7,266
|~9,500
|-
|[[Arachnida]]
|6,615
|~31,338
|-
|[[Insecta]]
|~62,000
|~205,000
|-
|[[Echinodermata]]
|1,475
|~2,000
|-
|Other invertebrates
|~2,371
|~5,015
|-
|colspan="3"| <small>Modified from: Williams et al. 2001<ref name="Williams">Williams, J. et al. 2001. [http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/2001/publications/theme-reports/biodiversity/pubs/biodiversity.pdf ''Biodiversity, Australia State of the Environment Report 2001'' (Theme Report)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110327235509/http://environment.gov.au/soe/2001/publications/theme-reports/biodiversity/pubs/biodiversity.pdf|date=27 March 2011}}, CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the Department of the Environment and Heritage, Canberra. {{ISBN|0-643-06749-3}}</ref> and Chapman, 2009<ref>{{Cite report|url=https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/2ee3f4a1-f130-465b-9c7a-79373680a067/files/nlsaw-2nd-complete.pdf|title=Numbers of Living Species in Australia and the World|last=Chapman|first=Arthur D.|date=September 2009|publisher=Australian Biological Resources Study|edition=2nd|access-date=27 August 2021}}</ref></small>
|}

Of the estimated 200,000 animal species in Australia, about 96% are invertebrates. While the full extent of invertebrate diversity is uncertain, 90% of [[insect]]s and [[mollusk|molluscs]] are considered endemic.<ref name="Williams"/> Invertebrates occupy many ecological niches and are important in all ecosystems as decomposers,<ref>Egerton, p. 492.</ref> pollinators, and food sources.<ref>Egerton, pp. 494–495, 520, 553.</ref> The largest group of invertebrates is the insects, comprising 75% of Australia's known species of animals. The most diverse insect orders are the [[Beetle|Coleoptera]], with 28,200 species of [[beetle]]s and [[weevil]]s,<ref>Egerton, pp. 538–540.</ref> the [[Lepidoptera]] with 20,816 species{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} including [[butterfly|butterflies]] and [[moth]]s,<ref>Egerton, p. 545.</ref> and around 14,800 species of [[Hymenoptera]],<ref name="CSIRO-Entomology">CSIRO Entomology: Insects and their allies [http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects_allies.html Insects and their allies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050615124728/http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects_allies.html |date=15 June 2005 }}</ref> including the [[ant]]s, [[bee]]s and [[wasp]]s. Order [[Diptera]], which includes the [[fly|flies]] and [[mosquito]]es, comprises 7,786 species.<ref>Egerton, pp. 542–543.</ref> Order [[Hemiptera]], including bugs, aphids and hoppers,<ref>Egerton, pp. 533–535.</ref> comprises 5,650 species; and there are 2,827 species{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} of order [[Orthoptera]], including [[grasshopper]]s, [[cricket (insect)|cricket]]s and [[Tettigoniidae|katydids]].<ref>Egerton, pp. 528–531.</ref> Introduced species that pose a significant threat to native species include the [[german wasp|European wasp]],<ref>Egerton, p. 552.</ref> the [[red imported fire ant|red fire ant]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/ants/red_imported_fire_ant.htm#economic |title=red imported fire ant – Solenopsis invicta |publisher=Entomology.ifas.ufl.edu |access-date=24 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921211110/http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/ants/red_imported_fire_ant.htm#economic |archive-date=21 September 2016 }}</ref> the [[yellow crazy ant]]<ref>{{cite web |author=Synergy International Limited |title=issg Database: Ecology of Anoplolepis gracilipes |url=http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=110&fr=1&sts=&lang=EN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212184249/http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=110&fr=1&sts=&lang=EN |archive-date=12 February 2012 |access-date=24 July 2011 |publisher=Issg.org}}</ref> and feral [[Western honeybee|honeybees]] which compete with native bees.<ref>Egerton, p. 553.</ref>
[[Image:Green ants.jpg|left|thumb|There are 1,275 described species and subspecies of ant from Australia.<ref>Shattuck, S. and Barnett, N. 2001. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080315185148/http://www.ento.csiro.au/science/ants/ants_in_australia.htm Australian Ants Online], CSIRO Entomology. Internet Archive: Retrieved 18 December 2013.</ref> These green ants (''[[Oecophylla smaragdina]]'') are found in tropical Australia and build nests in leaves.<ref>Egerton, p. 555.</ref>]]
Australia has a wide variety of [[arachnid]]s, including 78 spider families<ref>{{Cite book |title=A Field Guide to Spiders of Australia |last1=Whyte|first1=Robert|last2=Anderson|first2=Greg|publisher=CSIRO Publishing|year=2017|isbn=978-0-643-10707-6|location=Clayton, Victoria, Australia}}</ref> with 79 species of [[List of common spiders of Australia|spider familiar enough to have common names]]. There are numerous highly venomous species, including the notorious [[Sydney funnel-web spider|Sydney funnel-web]] and allied mygalomorphs, whose [[spider attacks in Australia|bites can be deadly]].<ref>Egerton, p. 563.</ref> The [[redback spider]] was thought to be deadly but redback bites are no longer thought to be life-threatening, as the lack of deaths since 1956 was thought to be due to the development of an anti-venom which has since been shown to be no better than placebo.<ref>{{Cite book|last=White|first=Julian|title=A clinician's guide to Australian venomous bites and stings: incorporating the updated CSL antivenom handbook|date=2012|publisher=CSL Ltd|others=Julian White, CSL Limited|isbn=978-0-646-57998-6|location=Parkville, Vic.|oclc=794734478}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Booth, Carol|date=July–September 2008|title=Along Came A Spider|url=http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/along-came-a-spider.htm|journal=Australian Geographic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006070407/http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/along-came-a-spider.htm|archive-date=6 October 2009|access-date=25 March 2010}}</ref> There are thousands of species of mites and ticks from the subclass [[Acari]].<ref>Egerton, p. 557.</ref> Australia also has at least 150 species of [[pseudoscorpion]] with an estimated 550 more waiting to be described,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Order SCORPIONES|url=https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/PSEUDOSCORPIONES|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304135805/http://www.biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/Scorpiones|archive-date=4 March 2015|access-date=18 July 2017|website=Australian Faunal Directory|language=en}}</ref> and at least 17 scorpion genera with 120 species.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Names List for SCORPIONES|url=https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/SCORPIONES/names|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511100909/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/SCORPIONES/names|archive-date=11 May 2018|access-date=18 July 2017|website=Australian Faunal Directory|language=en}}</ref>

In the [[Annelida]] (sub)class [[Oligochaeta]] there are many families of aquatic worms, and for native terrestrial [[worm]]s: the [[Enchytraeidae]] (pot worms) and the "true" earthworms in families [[Acanthodrilidae]], [[Octochaetidae]] and [[Megascolecidae]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} The latter includes the world's largest earthworm, the [[giant Gippsland earthworm]], found only in [[Gippsland]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]].<ref>Egerton, p. 518.</ref> On average they reach 80&nbsp;cm in length, but specimens up to 3.7&nbsp;m in length have been found.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}
[[Image:Wolf spider&egg sac02.jpg|thumb|The [[wolf spider]], ''Lycosa godeffroyi'', is common in many areas of Australia. In this family of spiders, the female carries her egg-sac.]]
The large family [[Parastacidae]] includes 124 species of Australian freshwater crayfish.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} These include the world's smallest crayfish, the [[Tenuibranchiurus|swamp crayfish]], which does not exceed 30&nbsp;mm in length,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Short|first=John W.|date=November 2000|title=Freshwater Crayfish|url=http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/inquiry/factsheets/leaflet0057.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602082709/http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/inquiry/factsheets/leaflet0057.pdf|archive-date=2 June 2009|website=Crustaceans 1|publisher=Queensland Museum}}</ref> and the world's largest crayfish, the [[Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish]],<ref name=e575>Egerton, p. 575.</ref> measuring up to 76&nbsp;cm long and weighing 4.5&nbsp;kg.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/lobster.html |title=Tasmanian Giant Freshwater Lobster (''Astacopsis gouldi'') |publisher=[[Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts]] |date=9 February 2007 |access-date=16 March 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205071506/http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/lobster.html |archive-date=5 February 2010 }}</ref> The crayfish genus ''[[Cherax]]'' includes the [[common yabby]],<ref name=e575/> in addition to the farmed species [[marron]] and [[Australian red claw crayfish|Queensland red claw]]. Species from the genus ''[[Engaeus]]'', commonly known as the land crayfish, are also found in Australia. ''Engaeus'' species are not entirely aquatic, because they spend most of their lives living in burrows. Australia has seven species of freshwater crab from the genus ''[[Austrothelphusa]]''. These crabs live burrowed into the banks of waterways and can plug their burrows, surviving through several years of drought. The extremely primitive freshwater [[Anaspididae|mountain shrimp]], found only in Tasmania, are a unique group, resembling species found in the fossil record from 200 MYA.
[[Image:Common clownfish.jpg|thumb|A [[Heteractis magnifica|magnificent sea anemone]] on the [[Great Barrier Reef]], with an [[ocellaris clownfish]].|left]]
A huge variety of marine invertebrates are found in Australian waters, with the [[Great Barrier Reef]] an important source of this diversity.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} Families include the [[Porifera]] or sea sponges,<ref>Egerton, p. 497.</ref> the [[Cnidaria]] (includes the [[jellyfish]], [[coral]]s and [[sea anemone]]s, [[Ctenophore|comb jellies]]),<ref>Egerton, pp. 499–506.</ref> the [[Echinoderm]]ata (includes the [[sea urchin]]s, [[sea star]]s, [[brittle star]]s, [[Holothuroidea|sea cucumber]]s, the [[Brachiopod|lamp shell]]s)<ref>Egerton, pp. 597–606.</ref> and the Mollusca (includes [[snail]]s, [[slug]]s, [[limpet]]s, [[squid]], [[octopus]], [[cockle (bivalve)|cockle]]s, [[oyster]]s, [[clam]]s, and [[chiton]]s).<ref>Egerton, p. 494.</ref> Venomous invertebrates include the [[Chironex fleckeri|box jellyfish]], the [[blue-ringed octopus]],<ref name=ill>Egerton, pp. 502, 596.</ref> and ten species of [[cone snail]],{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} which can cause respiratory failure and death in humans.<ref name=ill/> The [[crown-of-thorns starfish]] usually inhabits the reef at low densities. However, under conditions that are not yet well understood, they can reproduce to reach an unsustainable population density when coral is devoured at a rate faster than it can regenerate. This presents a serious reef management issue.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} Other problematic marine invertebrates include the native species purple sea urchin and the [[white urchin]], which have been able to take over marine habitats and form urchin barrens due to the over harvesting of their natural predators which include [[abalone]] and [[Jasus edwardsii|rock lobster]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} Introduced invertebrate pests include the [[Asian mussel]], [[New Zealand green-lipped mussel]], [[black-striped mussel]] and the [[northern Pacific seastar]], all of which displace native shellfish.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}

There are many unique marine crustaceans in Australian waters. The best-known class, to which all the edible species of crustacean belong, is [[Malacostraca]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} The warm waters of northern Australia are home to many species of [[decapoda|decapod]] crustaceans, including [[crab]]s, [[Anomura|false crabs]], [[hermit crab]]s, [[Spiny lobster|lobsters]], [[Thalassinidea|shrimps]], and [[Dendrobranchiata|prawns]]. The [[Peracarida|peracarids]], including the [[amphipoda|amphipods]] and [[Isopoda|isopods]], are more diverse in the colder waters of southern Australia.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} Less-well-known marine groups include the classes [[Remipedia]], [[Cephalocarida]], [[Branchiopoda]], [[Maxillopoda]] (which includes the [[barnacle]]s, [[copepod]]s and [[Argulidae|fish lice]]), and the [[Ostracod]]a.<ref>Egerton, pp. 569–570.</ref> Notable species include the [[Tasmanian giant crab]], the second largest crab species in the world,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/141462/crab/1592/Distribution-and-variety#ref=ref3637 |title=crab (crustacean) :: Distribution and variety. – Britannica Online Encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Britannica.com |access-date=24 July 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606120420/https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/141462/crab/1592/Distribution-and-variety#ref=ref3637 |archive-date=6 June 2011 }}</ref> found in deep water, and weighing up to 13&nbsp;kg,<ref>Egerton, p. 577.</ref> and the Australian [[spiny lobster]]s, such as the [[western rock lobster]], which are distinct from other [[lobster]] species as they do not have claws.<ref name="e575"/>

==Invasive species==
[[Image:Bufo marinus from Australia.JPG|thumb|The poisonous [[cane toad]]]]
{{Main|Invasive species in Australia}}
Introduction of exotic fauna in Australia by design, accident and natural processes has led to a considerable number of [[invasive species|invasive]], [[feral]] and [[pest (organism)|pest]] species which have flourished and now impact the environment adversely. Introduced organisms affect the environment in a number of ways. [[European rabbit]]s render land economically useless by eating everything.<ref>Egerton, pp. 106–107.</ref> [[Red fox]]es affect local [[endemic]] fauna by [[predation]] while the [[cane toad]] poisons the predators by being eaten.<ref>Egerton, pp. 105, 389.</ref> Some [[water flea]]s may have been introduced to Australia by humans<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Karabanov |first1=Dmitry P. |last2=Bekker |first2=Eugeniya I. |last3=Shiel |first3=Russell J. |last4=Kotov |first4=Alexey A. |date=2018-03-27 |title=Invasion of a Holarctic Planktonic cladoceran ''Daphnia galeata'' Sars (Crustacea: Cladocera) in the Lower Lakes of South Australia |journal=[[Zootaxa]] |volume=4402 |issue=1 |pages=136–148 |doi=10.11646/zootaxa.4402.1.6 |pmid=29690281 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324041905}}</ref> or birds.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Karabanov |first1=Dmitry P. |last2=Bekker |first2=Eugeniya I. |last3=Garibian |first3=Petr G. |last4=Shiel |first4=Russell J. |last5=Kobayashi  |first5=Tsuyoshi |last6=Taylor |first6=Derek J. |last7=Kotov |first7=Alexey A. |date=2022-02-15 |title=Multiple Recent Colonizations of the Australian Region by the ''Chydorus sphaericus'' Group (Crustacea: Cladocera) |journal=[[Water (journal)|Water]] |volume=14 |issue=4 |page=594 |doi=10.3390/w14040594 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2022Water..14..594K }}</ref> Other invasive species include birds ([[Common mynah|Indian mynah]]), fish ([[common carp]]), insects ([[red imported fire ant]]), [[mollusc]]s ([[Asian mussel]]). The problem is compounded by invasive exotic [[flora]] as well as introduced diseases, fungi and parasites. An example of this is Blue Green Algae, which is spreading through many bodies of water in rural Victoria, such as the Gippsland Lakes.

Costly, laborious and time-consuming efforts at control of these species has met with little success and this continues to be a major problem area in the conservation of Australia's biodiversity.<ref>{{Cite web|last=wildlife-reporter|date=2017-07-14|title=The damage of invasive species in Australia|url=https://wildlife-reporter.com/2017/07/14/the-damage-of-invasive-species-in-australia/|access-date=2021-10-30|website=Wildlife-reporter.com|language=en|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030165443/https://wildlife-reporter.com/2017/07/14/the-damage-of-invasive-species-in-australia/}}</ref>

Many of the introduced species are not regulated through wildlife services and can be regularly hunted year round.{{Cn|date=August 2021}} Some states even fund hunting initiatives though the efficacy of these programs are disputed.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Is hunting conservation?|url=https://invasives.org.au/our-work/feral-animals/hunting-conservation/|access-date=2021-08-26|website=Invasive Species Council|language=en-AU}}</ref>

According to a 2023 report co-authored by biologist [[Tim Low]], invasive species are the leading cause of native Australian animal extinctions since the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-08 |title=Since 1960, Australia has lost 23 native animals in an extinction wave |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2023-11-08/native-species-lost-to-modern-extinction/103055638 |access-date=2023-11-08}}</ref>

==Human impact and conservation==
{{Main|Conservation in Australia}}

For at least 40,000 years, Australia's fauna played an integral role in the traditional lifestyles of [[Indigenous Australians]], who relied upon many species as a source of food and skins. Vertebrates commonly harvested included macropods, possums, seals, fish and the [[short-tailed shearwater]], most commonly known as the muttonbird. Invertebrates used as food included insects such as the [[bogong moth]] and larvae collectively called [[witchetty grub]]s and molluscs. The use of [[fire-stick farming]], in which large swathes of bushland were burnt to facilitate hunting, modified both flora and fauna – and are thought to have contributed to the extinction of large herbivores with a specialised diet, such as the flightless birds from the genus ''[[Genyornis]]''.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Miller | first1 = G. H. | year = 2005 | title = Ecosystem Collapse in Pleistocene Australia and a Human Role in Megafaunal Extinction | journal = [[Science (journal)|Science]] | volume = 309 | issue = 5732| pages = 287–290 | pmid = 16002615 | doi=10.1126/science.1111288| bibcode = 2005Sci...309..287M | s2cid = 22761857 | url = http://doc.rero.ch/record/14709/files/PAL_E1537.pdf }}</ref> The role of hunting and landscape modification by aboriginal people in the extinction of the [[Australian megafauna]] is debated,<ref name = "Thompson">Thomson, J.M. et al. 1987. Human Exploitation of and Introductions to the Australian Fauna. In D.W. Walton Ed. ''Fauna of Australia'', Volume 1A. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.</ref> but increasingly favours the idea humans were responsible for megafaunal extinction.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Robustness despite uncertainty: regional climate data reveal the dominant role of humans in explaining global extinctions of Late Quaternary megafauna|first1=Lewis J.|last1=Bartlett|first2=David R.|last2=Williams|first3=Graham W.|last3=Prescott|first4=Andrew|last4=Balmford|first5=Rhys E.|last5=Green|first6=Anders|last6=Eriksson|first7=Paul J.|last7=Valdes|first8=Joy S.|author8-link=Joy Singarayer|last8=Singarayer|first9=Andrea|last9=Manica|date=1 February 2016|journal=Ecography|volume=39|issue=2|pages = 152–161|doi=10.1111/ecog.01566|url=https://research-information.bristol.ac.uk/ws/files/80785540/Bartlett_et_al_2015.pdf|doi-access=free|bibcode=2016Ecogr..39..152B }}</ref>

[[Image:Grey Nurse Shark at Fish Rock Cave, NSW.jpg|thumb|The [[grey nurse shark]] is critically endangered on the Australian east coast.|left]]
Despite the major impact of Aboriginals on native species populations, this is considered to be less significant than that of the European settlers,<ref name="Thompson"/> whose impact on the landscape has been on a relatively large scale. Since European settlement, direct exploitation of native fauna, habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic predators and competitive herbivores has led to the extinction of some 27 mammal, 23 bird and 4 frog species. Much of Australia's fauna is protected by legislation.<ref name="Egerton, p. 44"/> The federal [[Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999]] was created to meet Australia's obligations as a signatory to the 1992 [[Convention on Biological Diversity]]. This act protects all native fauna and provides for the identification and protection of [[threatened species]]. In each state and territory, there is statutory listing of threatened species. At present, 380 animal species are classified as either endangered or threatened under the EPBC Act, and other species are protected under state and territory legislation.<ref>[[Department of the Environment and Heritage (Australia)|Department of the Environment and Heritage]]. [http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=fauna EPBC Act List of Threatened Fauna] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427012826/http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=fauna |date=27 April 2006 }}</ref> More broadly, a complete cataloguing of all the species within Australia has been undertaken, a key step in the conservation of Australian fauna and biodiversity. In 1973, the federal government established the [[Australian Biological Resources Study]] (ABRS), which coordinates research in the taxonomy, identification, classification and distribution of flora and fauna. The ABRS maintains free online databases cataloguing much of the described Australian flora and fauna. Impacts such as the illegal setting of traps in rivers affect animals such as the Australian platypus, along with lack of awareness each year an average of 2–5 Australians lose their lives to what is presumed a safe creature. The key is understanding of Australia's diverse wildlife and fauna; what seems safe is often deadly.

The [[Australian Wildlife Conservancy]] is the largest private owner of land for conservation in the country which is dedicated to protecting endangered species across 4.8 million hectares of land in the most popular regions such as the Kimberley, Cape York, Lake Eyre and the Top End. This not-for-profit organisation is working hard to avoid extinction of the endangered native species in various wildlife sanctuaries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.environment.gov.au/land/nrs/getting-involved/conservation-organisations/australian-wildlife-conservancy |title=Australian Wildlife Conservancy|website=Australian Government Department of the Environment And Energy }}</ref>

Australia is a member of the [[International Whaling Commission]] and is strongly opposed to commercial whaling — all cetacean species are protected in Australian waters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/species/cetaceans/conservation/index.html |title=Whale Protection – How is Australia protecting whales? |publisher=Environment.gov.au |date=11 June 2010 |access-date=24 July 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811091037/http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/species/cetaceans/conservation/index.html |archive-date=11 August 2011 }}</ref> Australia is also a signatory to the [[Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna|CITES]] agreement and prohibits the export of endangered species. [[Protected areas of Australia|Protected areas]] have been created in every state and territory to protect and preserve the country's unique ecosystems. These protected areas include national parks and other reserves, as well as 64 wetlands registered under the [[Ramsar Convention]] and 16 [[World Heritage Site]]s. {{as of|2002}}, 10.8% (774,619.51&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of the total land area of Australia is within protected areas.<ref>Department of the Environment and Heritage. 2002. [http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/nrs/science/capad/2002/index.html Summary of Terrestrial Protected Areas in Australia by Type] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115093748/http://environment.gov.au/parks/nrs/science/capad/2002/index.html |date=15 November 2011 }}</ref> Protected marine zones have been created in many areas to preserve marine biodiversity; {{as of|2002|lc=y}}, these areas cover about 7% (646,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of Australia's marine jurisdiction.<ref>Department of the Environment and Heritage. 2002. [http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mpa/nrsmpa/index.html#status About the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (NRSMPA)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070906213557/http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/mpa/nrsmpa/index.html |date=6 September 2007 }}</ref> The [[Great Barrier Reef]] is managed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority under specific federal and state legislation. Some of Australia's fisheries are already [[overexploited]],<ref>Newton, G and Boshier, J, eds. 2001. [http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/2001/publications/theme-reports/coasts/pubs/coasts.pdf ''Coasts and Oceans Theme Report, Australia State of the Environment Report 2001'' (Theme Report)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112225809/http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/2001/publications/theme-reports/coasts/pubs/coasts.pdf |date=12 January 2012 }}, CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the Department of the Environment and Heritage, Canberra. {{ISBN|0-643-06749-3}}</ref> and quotas have been set for the sustainable harvest of many marine species.

The ''State of the Environment Report, 2001'', prepared by independent researchers for the federal government, concluded that the condition of the environment and environmental management in Australia had worsened since the previous report in 1996. Of particular relevance to wildlife conservation, the report indicated that many processes — such as [[Salinity in Australia|salinity]], changing hydrological conditions, land clearing, fragmentation of ecosystems, poor management of the coastal environment, and [[Invasive species in Australia|invasive species]] — pose major problems for protecting Australia's biodiversity.<ref>Australian State of the Environment Committee. 2001. [http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/2001/publications/report/index.html ''Australia State of the Environment 2001''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101221045/http://environment.gov.au/soe/2001/publications/report/index.html |date=1 November 2010 }}, Independent Report to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage. CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the Department of the Environment and Heritage {{ISBN|0-643-06745-0}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Australia|Animals}}
* [[List of mammals of Australia]]
** [[List of monotremes and marsupials of Australia]]
** [[List of bats of Australia]]
** [[List of rodents of Australia]]
** [[List of placental mammals introduced to Australia]]
** [[List of marine mammals of Australia]]
* [[List of birds of Australia]]
** [[List of birds of Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica]]
** [[Birds of Australia#Regional lists]]
* [[List of ants of Australia]]
* [[List of butterflies of Australia]]
* [[List of moths of Australia]]
* [[List of stick insects and mantids of Australia]]
* [[List of Dermapterans of Australia]]
* [[List of common spider species of Australia]]
* [[List of Australia-New Guinea species extinct in the Holocene]]
* [[List of introduced fish in Australia]]
* [[Threatened fauna of Australia]]
* [[List of Australia-New Guinea species extinct in the Holocene]]
* [[List of marine animals of Australia (temperate waters)]]
* [[Environmental issues in Australia]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{Refbegin}}
* Berra, T. M. 1998. ''A Natural History of Australia''. Academic Press {{ISBN|0-12-093155-9}}
* Egerton, L. ed. 2005. ''Encyclopedia of Australian wildlife''. Reader's Digest {{ISBN|1-876689-34-X}}
* Kuiter, R. H. 2000. ''Coastal fishes of south-eastern Australia''. Gary Allen {{ISBN|1-875169-85-7}}
* McKay, G. M. et al. 1989. [https://web.archive.org/web/20050723101859/http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/publications/fauna-of-australia/pubs/volume1b/36-ind.pdf Biogeography and Phylogeny of Eutheria]. In ''Fauna of Australia'' (D. W. Walton and B. J. Richardson, eds.). Mammalia, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 1B:1–1227.
* Menkhorst, P. W.; Knight, F. 2004. ''A field guide to the mammals of Australia''. Oxford University Press {{ISBN|0-19-555037-4}}
* Prokop, F. B. 2006. ''Australian fish guide''. Australian Fishing Network. {{ISBN|978-1-86513-107-8}}
* Strahan, R. ed. 1983. ''The Australian Museum Complete Book of Australian Mammals''. Angus & Robertson {{ISBN|0-207-14454-0}}
* Walton, D. W. Ed. 1987. ''Fauna of Australia'', Volume 1A. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra. {{ISBN|0-644-06055-7}}
* Wells, A. Ed. 2005. [https://symbolhunt.com/australia/] Australian Faunal Directory]{{Dead link|date=August 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}, Department of Environment and Heritage
* Wilson, S.; Swan, G. 2017. ''A complete guide to reptiles of Australia, 5th Edition''. Reed New Holland {{ISBN|9781925546026}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|Fauna_of_Australia.ogg|date=2006-10-23}}
* [http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/ Australian Biological Resources Study] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108192522/http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs |date=8 January 2009 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050707074547/http://www.ento.csiro.au/aicn/ Australian Insect Common names]
* [http://www.austmus.gov.au/ Australian Museum], Australia's natural history museum
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080929083801/http://museumvictoria.com.au/crust/page1.html Crustacean Gallery- Marine crustacean from southeastern Australia]
* [http://www.reptile-database.org/ The Reptile Database]
* [http://www.avru.org/ University of Melbourne Australian Venom Research Unit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224010802/http://avru.org/ |date=24 February 2015 }}, descriptions and images of venomous species
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050719010556/http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/publications/fauna-of-australia/list.html#mammalia ''Fauna of Australia''], full contents of Mammalia and some of Amphibia & Reptilia available in .pdf format
* [https://bigaustraliabucketlist.com/native-australian-animals/ 30+ Native Australian Animals – Facts, Pics & Where To Find Them]

{{Australia topic|title=Fauna of Australia|prefix=Fauna of|VI=Victoria}}
{{Oceania topic|Fauna of}}
{{Australia topics}}

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[[Category:Fauna of Australia| ]]