Australia has more than 378 mammal species, 828 bird species, 4000 fish species, 300 species of lizards, 140 snake species, two crocodile species and around 50 types of marine mammal.
More than 80 per cent of Australian plants, mammals, reptiles and frogs are unique to Australia and are found no-where else. Some of the best-known animals are the kangaroo, koala, echidna, dingo, platypus, wallaby and wombat.
More than 80 per cent of Australian plants, mammals, reptiles and frogs are unique to Australia and are found no-where else. Some of the best-known animals are the kangaroo, koala, echidna, dingo, platypus, wallaby and wombat.
 The kangaroo is unique to Australia. It is a mammal and a macropod, a family of marsupials that includes wallabies and pademelons. Kangaroos are the only large animals to travel by hopping and breeding adult males often fight by boxing with their front paws and kicking their back legs. There are 55 kangaroo species spread across Australia. |  The Tasmanian devil is a carnivorous marsupial with the appearance of a small, stocky dog. It has a broad head, thick tail and coarse, black fur. The Tasmanian devil was given its common name by early European settlers, who were haunted at night by its screeches and demonic growls. |
 The dingo is Australia's wild dog. They are carnivores, commonly feeding on kangaroos, wallabies, cattle, wombats and possums. |  The koala is a unique Australian marsupial. Koalas are only active for around two hours a day and get all their fluids from eating eucalyptus leaves. |
 The emu is a large, brown, soft-feathered, flightless bird. Emus grow up to two metres tall and have three toes and long legs that allow them to run very fast, up to 50km per hour. |  Echidnas sometimes known as spiny anteaters. They, together with the platypus, are the only living mammals that lay eggs. Their diet consists of ants and termites. |
Australia is infamous for its dangerous animals.
- The inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) is the world's most venomous snake. It is elusive and there have been no recorded deaths by this species.
- The Sydney funnel-web (Atrax robustus) is one of the world’s most dangerous spiders. Its toxic venom evolved as a defensive tool against predators, rather than for attack. Unfortunately, humans are especially sensitive.
- Crocodile - one of the apex predators, the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) has the most powerful bite of any species.
- The stinging stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) is found on Australia’s reefs. The pain of a sting alone can be lethal. It produces such mind-blowing agony that the body goes into shock and the person dies.
- Southern blue-lined octopus (Hapalochlaena fasciata) has one of the most toxic venoms on the planet and bites cause paralysis within minutes, leading to respiratory issues and heart failure.
- Great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias), however, have an undeserved reputation – they are responsible for an average of just one death per year, worldwide.
