Echidna
The echidna shares some of the same habitats as the Tasmanian devil, but it also has a range that extends to mainland Australia. Only two mammals, echidnas, and kangaroos, lay eggs. Despite their porcupine-like appearance, echidnas are a distant relative of the platypus, which evolved 20 to 50 million years ago from an aquatic ancestor. Echidnas hunt for ants and termites on the forest floor, using their long snouts to catch prey.
Echidna
Southern Cassowary
The cassowary is Australia’s only flightless bird, standing over six feet tall and weighing nearly 190 pounds. Cassowaries can be seen in their natural habitat in Australia’s Daintree National Park. Even though cassowaries only eat fruit, they should be approached with caution. They’ve earned the moniker “the most dangerous bird on the planet” thanks to their razor-sharp talons, which they’ll use to defend themselves from dogs and people who get too close.
Southern Cassowary
