They are a rabbit size marsupial with large ears (they have great hearing, and the ears also allow the bilby to lose heat, a sort of "thermoregulation") and their fur is soft grey with a bluish tinge. A long pointed snout and a large black and white tail with a white brush tip makes this a striking looking animal Strong claws enables this marsupial to burrow quickly through sandy soil and the Bilbys pouch faces backwards.
These nocturnal creatures live in very arid country (desert), which have clumps of Spinifex grass and acacia shrubs preferably. There is not very many of these marsupials left and nowdays are found only in patches of Western Australia (Kimberlys), South Australia and the Northern territory (Alice Springs)and small patches in arid parts of Queensland
Fairy Penguin Penguins are only found in the Southern Hemisphere and the Little Blue (or Fairy Penguin) are found along the shores of Southern Australia and New Zealand (see map) Their scientific name is "Eudyptula minor", Eudyptula being Greek for "good little diver, which is a great description for this smallest species of penguin Little penguins spend their days out at sea in groups, referred to as rafts and at dusk they return to their burrows or rock crevice colonies, in small groups Whilst on land they are very noisy especially before their pre dawn departure back to sea to feed
The shy Platypus is found only in eastern Australia, where they live on the edges of rivers and freshwater lakes where burrows can be dug.
The best streams are ones where the banks are strong enough for building their deep burrows, and often these banks overhang the river. During the day, a Platypus often rests in this burrow, but it may spend some hours near the entrance to the burrow, basking in the sun and grooming its dense fur. But Platypuses (or platypi) are most active for several hours after dusk and before dawn.
Platypuses are renound for their excellence in the water as both a diver and swimmer
KOALA Koalas are found in South Eastern Australia and has been described as an "ash coloured pouched bear". But they are not a bear they are a mammal ( meaning they feed their young on Milk) and are a Marsupial (meaning they carry their developing young mostly in a pouch) The name koala, comes from the Aboriginal saying that means "no drink". The Koala obtains enough moisture from the eucalypt leaves that it lives on
LOCATION
Because of the reliance on its one food source Koalas are found where there are suitable Eucalypt forests (Gum trees) and woodlands which is along Australia's East coast and inland of the mountain range known as the "Great Dividing Range" (see map)
Sheila, I just wish I was sailing to anywhere at this point, but Australia does sound like a dream, eh? Thanks for the link
Hanna
Sailing Nov 4, 2009, on Ruby Princess
Sailing Feb 1, 2010, on Radiance of the Seas
in
Radiance of the Seas 6-2003
Brilliance of the Seas 11-2004
Jewel of the Seas 3-2006
Rhapsody of the Seas 12-2006
Rhapsody of the Seas 5-2007
Freedom of the Seas 11-2007
Radiance of the Seas 5-2008
Vision of the Seas 11-2008
The Aussie/NZ cruise is the one on top of our dream cruise list. Would involve very expensive airfare, especially as the only time we would be able to go (at least in the next six years) would be the last two weeks of the year/first week of the year.
So maybe in a few years !
Patty, Family Cruising & So. Calif. area Navigator & Future Ya Ya Princess Stick Shift
Confirm your membership in The Do-Gooders List! In Off Topic photos
A much needed beach getaway!!!! in
12 Years Married Now!
Carnival Jubilee - Mex. Riv. 1/94, Sensation - W. Car. 11/94, Holiday (2x's) Baja Calif. while preggers 3/97, w/toddler 7/99, Paradise - E. Car. 3/01, Ecstasy - Baja Calif. 6/02; Princess Star - Mex. Riv. 2/03, Sapphire - Alaska 8/04; Island Princess - Hawaii 12/05