Australian animals are unique and very interesting. Let's take a swing through the countryside and see what we can see!
We'll visit Australia's beaches later. Boy are we ever out in the country or what, observes Mimi! Oh look, McAveler, what strange instrument is that man playing? How intriguing! It makes a mysterious sound! It's called a didgeridoo, Mimi. The aboriginal Australian peoples use them to accompany singing and dancing ceremonies. They are often made out of eucalyptus tree trunks or limbs that have been hollowed out by termites. Mimi, when we get home, let's make a didgeridoo craft, OK?
They're called
It's called a Koalas are members of a group of mammals called marsupials--like kangaroos, McAveler, they are sooo cute, gushed Mimi! Can we take one home for a pet?
What do they eat, McAveler? Have you heard of
They are a national symbol of Australia and there are four species of them. They are also marsupials and were important to the Australian Aboriginal culture for food and materials. Hey, 'roo, back off! Let's back away Mimi, these are wild Australian animals too. They aren't usually dangerous to humans but neither are grizzly bears! I think they are termite mounds. Chico says that termites are amazing architects. These termites make their huge nests underground. The part that sticks up above ground keeps the termites' underground home air conditioned. When the wind blows, the part of the nest you see sticking up above ground forces fresh air into all the underground passageways.
Well, they were brought here, mostly from India, to carry freight across Australia's huge, dry interior in about 1840-1907. Today there is a huge population of wild camels that roam the countryside. They are sometimes a challenge for farmers because camels get hungry too.
It is a very special place, Mimi. It is called McAveler, I'm impressed. Is that really how you pronounce Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara? I think so, Mimi. At least that is what Chico told me so it must be right. Hey, when we get home, let's make Australian Rock Cakes so we can remember Uluru!
See him, Mimi, it's a beautiful kookaburra? Listen carefully. This bird's call sounds a lot like humans laughing! They are predators--meat eating birds.
This bird's call sounds like a creaky gate being opened or closed. Skreeeeet! Remind you of our friends, the magellanic penguins, we met on the beach in Chile? Remember, Larry, Mo, Curly, and Jacques? Speaking of animals that live in the East where it is wetter, just look at this wonderful Australian! You will never see anything more unusual than the platypus, Mimi! It also is a national symbol. Some people joke that it was the last animal created! Why do they say that, McAveler?
Mimi, this egg-laying, venomous, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled naturalists for years! They first believed it was a fraud. This clever but bizarre looking fellow doesn't locate his food by sight or smell. He uses electro-reception. When looking for food underwater, he closes his eyes, ears, and nose. He uses his bill to dig in the bottom of streams. Whenever his prey moves a muscle, the platypus detects the minute electrical current given off. And then bang, he has his tucker! Spoken like a true young scientist, McAveler. His tucker? Would you mind translating for the rest of us? What is a tucker? You know, Mimi, his food. Sorry. Sometimes I just get too excited about all the wonderful things there are around us to discover! I know, McAveler. I am enchanted too. By my American Girl Dolls and accessories!
|
Sure. Hey, I see boys throwing curved sticks, McAveler. What in the world are they?
Look, up that tree! Now there is an australian animal, McAveler! It has round, fuzzy ears and looks cute and cuddly, like a teddy bear! 
You know better than that, Mimi. Koalas may look soft and cuddly but their fur is rough like the wool on a sheep. They are wild Australian animals and don't make good pets. 
Look, Mimi, there's a kangaroo! Wow, can they ever move fast! Some Kangaroos can hop over 40 miles per hour--for a very short distance. 
What are those funny things sticking up out of the ground that look like castles made out of mud, McAveler?
McAveler, over there, look! Even I know those are not Australian animals. Those are camels. What in the world are camels doing in the Australian countryside? 
Just look at that huge sandstone rock out in the middle of nowhere, McAveler! Wow, very impressive and beautiful. It seems like a very special place.
Let's head towards the East and see what we can find. Yes, there's a well known Australian animal right over there, in the tree. Well, OK, it's a bird.
And there's a Gang-Gang Cockatoo, Mimi! They live here where it is wetter. See how beautiful he is too? 
Well, because this animal looks like someone took leftover parts from other animals and put them together to make one very special creature--the platypus!
