FLORA AND FAUNA OF AUSTRALIA: REPRESENTATIVE SPECIES - BIOLOGY - 2025

The flora and fauna of Australia is very peculiar, given that it has a unique diversity in the world, almost all the species are native to the country itself. This is because it is geographically isolated.

One of the most peculiar animal species in the country is comprised of the monotremes, which are mammals that hatch from eggs, with beaks and tails.

Monotreme, Platypus

The peculiarity of the flora in Australia lies in the variety of climates in the country, which has caused it to adapt to the environment.

Representative Flowers of Australia

Flannel flower

It is found in the southern coast of the country, its petals resemble the texture of wool. The color of its petals varies between white and pink.

Banksia serrata

It is commonly known as old man banksia. Its size varies according to the climate where it develops, being able to measure up to 15 meters in height.

Its flowers grow in a cylindrical shape and it is generally found in the eastern part of the coast, but it is spread throughout the entire country.

Waratah

Plant that grows in the form of a bush and represents the south-eastern part of Australia. Its main characteristic is that its flowers are very bright red.

Gymea lily

Plant that can measure one meter in height, its peculiarity is found in the lily that grows in the center of the plant with a stem that can reach 6 meters in height.

It is native to the Sydney coastal area.

Representative Fauna of Australia

Australia is recognized worldwide for its kangaroos and koalas. However, it has a great variety of animals that are quite peculiar and native to the area.

Echidnas

Also known as spiny anteaters, they have spines on the back. Their diet is based on ants and termites.

They are particular, since they are ovoviviparous. So echidnas are one of two species of monotremes existing in the world.

Platypus

It belongs to the family of monotremes, mammals that lay eggs.

They have the body of an otter, beak and legs similar to those of ducks. Its natural habitat is the water of rivers and shallow lakes.

Emu

It is the second largest bird in the world, since it reaches up to 2 meters in height and 60 kilograms in weight.

It cannot fly and is found in almost all areas of Australia, with the exception of the rain forests.

Tasmanian devil

It belongs to the marsupial family, but its diet is based on meats of all kinds, which they consume voraciously and with great shrieks.

This way of feeding originated that they gave him the name of Demon and by finding his habitat in the island of Tasmania it is that he obtains his complete name.

References

1. Fauna & Flora International Taken from fauna-flora.org
2. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Plants and animals you might see in our parks. Taken from nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.
3. National Herbarium of NSW, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, Australia. Taken from plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
4. Fauna & Flora International (2017) Taken from fauna-flora.org.
5. Australian Goverment. Taken from australia.gov.au.