The unusual and endemic mammals of the Australian temperate forest and woodlands include famous and 'classic' marsupials such as the koala, and many species of kangaroo and wallaby...
In marsupials, the penis is usually located anteriorly (behind) the testicles.
The Koala feeds mostly on the leaves of about 30 species of Eucalyptus trees.
With such a low nutrient diet, Koalas spend a lot of their lives asleep; they are usually resting for 20 hours out of every day.
Koalas two opposable digits on their 'hands', enabling grip on branches. Another adaptation to climbing and holding onto trees are their sharp claws! So even though they look calm and cuddly, don't try to pick one up, or they will scratch you with those claws!
This family includes three species of living wombat.
Vombatus ursinus, 'Common Wombat'.
In Australia, this loose term covers various different arboreal species from different families.
As suggested by the name, Ringtails have a tail that is often held curled, and are usually not as fluffy as 'brushtails'.
Pseudocheirus peregrinus, 'Common Ringtail Possum'.
Pseudocheirus occidentalis, 'Western Ringtail Possum'.
Petauroides volans, 'Greater Glider'. This species has now been split into 3 species. Not related to the other smaller gliders, but is in the ringatil possum family. Large fluffy possum. Often stays still in same tree for some time. They are found in Eucalyptus forest and woodlands along eastern Australia.
Trichosurus vulpecula, 'Common Brushtail Possum'.
Petaurus norfolcensis, 'Squirrel Glider', Similar looking to Sugar Glider, but this species is larger, with larger ears and much bigger fluffy tail. Found in Eucalyptus forests in eastern Australia.
Kangaroos are the largest animals in the world to using hopping as locomotion, or indeed that have ever lived.
The smaller hopping marsupials. Includes many increasingly rare species.
Aepyprymnus rufescens, 'Rufous Bettong' 'Rufous Rat Kangaroo'. The largest of all the potoroids, but still a small marsupial. Often stands with kangaroo like stance, but with tiny arms. Usually solitary, but sometimes in loose groups. Found in drier Eucalypt woodlands eastern Australia, from North Queensland south to northern NSW (it was once found down to Murray River). Shy and hard to see, one of the best spots are around the campfire at Undara.
Bettongia penicillata, 'Woylie', 'Brush-tailed Bettong'. Once lived in temperate forest and arid habitats across a large part of Australia, now very rare and restricted to small pockets in south west and south east of continent.
The larger hopping marsupials! Including the classic and well known kangaroos.
Macropus giganteus, 'Eastern Grey Kangaroo'. The common large kangaroo in temperate Australia, east of the Great Dividing Range.
Macropus fuliginosus, 'Western Grey Kangaroo'. The common large kangaroo in temperate Australia, west from the Great Dividing Range.
'Western Grey Kangaroo' scat.
Macropus rufogriseus, 'Bennet's Wallaby'. This is the Tasmanian subspecies of the Red-necked Wallaby'.
Setonix brachyurus, 'Quokka'. Endemic to the south west of Australia. Most commonly seen on Rottnest island, where they are habituated to people and hang around the restaurants.
Pteropus poliocephalus, 'Grey-headed Flying Fox'.