Animals (Australia)

Where can I find information about animals in Australia?

(Years 5-8)

Colour photo of a koala resting on tree branches. — Image: Koala having a rest by Holger Link on Unsplash.

Entry last updated: 8/12/25

Introduction

Australia has many different kinds of animals. They include native animals that are indigenous to Australia and are not found anywhere else, and introduced animals that have been brought to Australia by humans (including pests). Some are domestic animals (including pets and farm animals) that live with people in their home or farm.

General websites

These sites have information about Australian animals, both native and introduced species.

Britannica School Middle

Britannica School is one of the EPIC databases, which is a collection of reliable resources put together especially for New Zealand school students and helps to answer questions on lots of different topics.

Search for the keywords 'Australian animals'.
Go to Australia (island continent and country).
Select 'Plants and Animals' from the menu to find facts and photos.

Tips: To get to the EPIC resources you will need a password from your school librarian first. Or you can chat with one of our AnyQuestions librarians and they will help you online. Some EPIC databases may also be available through your public library.

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is a clear and easy-to-follow website with pictures and information on a wide variety of Australian animals.

Go to Regions at the top of the page and look for Australia/New Zealand.
You can refine your search by using the tab called Animals to search by
Category and Conservation status, or browse using the Habitat tab.
Select an animal to find out about them.

Tips: Websites that have .com or .co in the address can have good information, but you need to assess how reliable it is. Check the About us link on the website, if you can find one. That can tell you what the company’s mission and values are.

Smithsonian's Animal Index

Smithsonian Animal Index has facts about more than 1,500 animals across 300 different species. There is heaps of information about each animal, and great photos too.

Search with the keyword 'Australia' to bring up many animal entries.
Choose the animal you want to find facts about eg Emu or Green Tree Python.

Tips: A website’s address (URL) can give you a hint about how reliable it is. Look for addresses in the results that include .gov or .edu in the URL. These are quality sites from overseas government or educational organisations.

Native animals

Australia has many unique native animals. Native animals are animals that naturally live in Australia, not brought from other countries. Because the country is so large, each state has its own website about native wildlife. Here are some useful links from different states.

Office of Environment and Heritage

This is a government website from the state of New South Wales.

Select the Topics tab and look under Animals and plants.
Go to Native animals to find out which animals are protected, as well as some native animal facts.

Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation

This is a government website from the state of Queensland.

Go to the Environment tab and choose Wildlife and ecosystems.
Now go to the section Animals to select Discovering wildlife.
This has a list of Queensland animal species such as frogs, birds, possums and platypus.

Landscape South Australia

This is a government website from the state of South Australia.

Search for 'native animals'.
Choose Native animals.
Explore the region's Frogs, Mammals, Reptiles and Birds to discover facts about the Grey-headed Flying-fox and Orange-bellied parrot.

Tips: We like sites that are from government or other reputable organisations, because we can trust the information. You can sometimes tell these sites by their web address – they might have .gov or .edu in their address – or by looking at their About us or Contact pages.

Australian Wildlife Conservancy

This organisation works to protect Australia’s amazing animals and their habitats. They help keep native species safe so future generations can enjoy them.

Use the Explore wildlife tab to find sections on mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, reptiles and fish.
For example, the section on Mammals has information on the Bush-tailed Bettong (Woylie).

Tips: Websites that have .org or .net in the address can have good information, but you need to assess how reliable it is. Check the About us link on the website, if you can find one. That can tell you what the organisation’s mission and values are.

Introduced animals (pests)

Australia is very large, and there are lots of different government websites about animal pests. Here are some good sites from different parts of Australia.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

This website shares information about farming, animals, and the environment in Western Australia. It has information on introduced animals and pests.

Select Businesses from the top of the page.
Then go down the page to Pests, weeds and diseases to select Animals & insects.
Choose a type of pest to find out more.
For example, go to Pest mammals to read about how European rabbits and Feral camels came to Australia and why they are pests.

Agriculture Victoria

This is a government website from the state of Victoria.

Go to the Biosecurity tab.
Select Pest animals.
Look down the page for sections about Established and Exotic pest animal species.
For example, there are pages about pests like the African Pygmy Hedgehog and Cane toad.

Tips: We like sites that are from government or other reputable organisations, because we can trust the information. You can sometimes tell these sites by their web address – they might have .gov or .edu in their address – or by looking at their About us or Contact pages.

Domestic animals (including pets and farm animals)

There are many domestic animals in Australia. This section has some great information about farm animals and pets in Australia.

NSW Department of Primary Industries

This is a New South Wales government website about using natural resources to make food or other products, which includes animal farming.

Go to Animals & livestock.
Choose the type of farm animal you want to find out about.

Agriculture Victoria

This government website from the state of Victoria is all about different types of farming in that state.

Go to the Livestock and animals tab.
Choose the type of animal you are looking for.

Tips: A website’s address (URL) can give you a hint about how reliable it is. Look for addresses in the results that include .gov or .edu in the URL. These are quality sites from overseas government or educational organisations.