Crocodiles, dugongs, and turtles- oh my!
Arnhem Land will not be solely a culturally vital place to the standard house owners, the Yolngu Peoples, but additionally an impressive panorama full of various ecosystems from mangrove forests to coastal shorelines and from monsoonal wetlands to flood plains. And in every of these ecosystems lives quite a lot of native animals.
While exploring this wild and distant nation, you’re prone to come throughout a minimum of a few of these animals and this information will inform you all the pieces it’s good to know concerning the totally different species that swim via Arnhem Land’s waters, run throughout its grounds, and soar via its skies.
You may even play animal bingo, counting what number of species you’ve noticed as you journey via Arnhem Land in your epic journey. Just a thought.
1. Saltwater crocodiles
Unofficially the mascot of the Northern Territory, the saltwater crocodile (baru) is an historic, native, and guarded creature, representing Yolngu Peoples mythology as a clan totem. Bigger in dimension than that of the freshwater crocodile, this magnificent however extremely harmful animal has been roaming Arnhem Land’s estuarine waterways for over 200 million years, feeding off something that stumbles too near its highly effective mouth and the highly effective chew strain that comes with it.
Commonly referred to as a sit-and-wait predator, a completely grown, grownup saltwater crocodile can attain as much as 6 metres in size so for those who do see one in your travels, give it a large berth. Thankfully, there may be enough signage all through the extra widespread recreation areas and customer centres in Arnhem Land to warn you of crocs. It’s additionally sensible to keep away from the water’s edge or do something to draw potential crocodile exercise.
While they’re some of the harmful species on the earth, they’re additionally extremely spectacular and if in case you have the prospect to look at them within the wild from a protected distance or with a skilled skilled, do it.
2. Dugongs
Another fascinating marine animal is the dugong, a big, gray water-dweller who spends most of its time on the seabed foraging for meals. Found in coastal and inland waters, this peaceable creature can dwell for as much as 70 years and is unquestionably price admiring for those who do come throughout one within the wild. While they’ll look a tad intimidating due to their 3-metre-long dimension, they’re comparatively dangerous and relaxed animals, preferring to maintain to themselves.
3. Bilbies
One of the cutest trying marsupials you’re prone to come throughout in Arnhem Land, the bilby is usually recognised by its lengthy, rabbit-like ears and silky blue-grey fur. Peaceful in nature, bilbies are sometimes present in grassy sandplains and shrublands, sleeping in freshly dug burrows throughout the day and popping out at nighttime to hunt out meals within the type of termites, grass seeds, and small spiders.
Bilbies had been as soon as present in over 70% of Australia however because of predators, drier climates, and behavior loss, that share has dropped to only 15% so whereas recognizing this tiny creature could also be onerous, we thought the bilby nonetheless deserved a spot on this Arnhem Land animals listing due to its standing as one among Australia’s most beloved native marsupials.
4. Rainbow bee-eaters
Flitting across the bushes in Arnhem Land is the rainbow bee-eater, a small and distinctive hen with tail streamers in blues, oranges, and greens. Usually discovered close to water in woodlands and shrublands, these stunning birds feast on bees, butterflies, and moths, and placed on a rainbow-coloured present after they dive to catch an insect.
While there are heaps of various hen species flying from tree to tree throughout Arnhem Land, the rainbow bee-eater is among the most typical ones discovered all through the area, so that you shouldn’t have any drawback recognizing it in your many adventures via this magical and engaging nation.
5. Hawksbill turtles
Arnhem Land is house to a number of species of turtles together with the leatherback turtle, the inexperienced turtle, the loggerhead turtle, and the hawksbill turtle. With two main breeding grounds all through Australia, one situated on the Great Barrier Reef and the opposite in northeastern Arnhem Land, the hawksbill turtle is sort of generally present in hotter waters in tropical areas.
Recognised by their reddy-brown, greeny-blue scales on their shells, these stunning creatures are breathtaking to behold, and for those who’re travelling to Arnhem Land throughout July – October, you may even see a recent hatchling or 20 as they make their option to the water.
6. Oenpelli pythons
Known because the rarest python on the earth because it’s solely discovered within the western space of Arnhem Land and has no recognised subspecies, the oenpelli python is culturally vital to Indigenous Peoples with many believing the snake impressed the well-known rainbow serpent in Aboriginal mythology. Unfortunately, the oenpelli python is an endangered species and there are continued conservation efforts occurring all through the nation to make sure it doesn’t be a part of the listing of extinct Aussie animals.
This means you in all probability received’t see one within the wild however the snake’s lengthy and skinny physique is well recognisable with darkish, olive-brown pores and skin and a pearly, iridescent sheen. Living out its life amongst sandstone outcrops and sometimes on bushes in tropical areas, the oenpelli python is a kind of Arnhem Land animals you’ll be hoping to identify (however preserve a protected distance away from) in your epic journey via this magical nation.
7. Golden bandicoots
Tiny in dimension (a completely grown bandicoot solely weighs round 600g), the golden bandicoot has an elongated head form and is distinguished from the larger brown bandicoot by the form of its hairs. This little marsupial is usually discovered within the northeastern area of Arnhem Land and lives in shrubland or sandstone areas, avoiding closely vegetated forests or anyplace with heavy tree cowl.
While the golden bandicoot is a threatened species, you may have the ability to catch a glimpse of 1 because it scurries previous you in its quest for termites and ants to eat.
8. Frilled neck lizards
One of the extra daring and spectacular Arnhem Land animals on this listing is the frilled neck lizard. This lizard’s placing look is basically because of its magnificent neck frill, flaring up and encircling its face each time it feels threatened or alarmed. Living the excessive life within the bushes of tropical areas in northwestern Arnhem Land, this reptile has been recognized to leap down over 20m from their leafy habitats and run on their again legs in the event that they spot a very tasty insect to eat.
These brightly-coloured lizards (their neck frills typically show a mixture of oranges and reds) additionally function in native Dreamtime mythology with a story that tells of secrets and techniques overheard and human to lizard transformations. If you’re fortunate sufficient, you may catch a glimpse of one among these creatures scurrying alongside as you navigate the forested areas of this magical and spectacular area.