Animals in Australia | Encounters & Experiences

ROCKPOOL DISCOVERY

Crabs belong to the Phylum Arthropoda, which means that they characteristically have an exo-skeleton and
segmented legs and two body parts where the head and thorax are fused together (cephalothorax) and the
abdomen.

Shark egg cases are an absolute marvel of Nature. They mimic the sea algae which they are laid amongst. This gives the growing shark pup perfect camouflage from predators until they are ready to hatch.

Did you know that sea stars live in an incredibly ‘topsy-turvy’ world. their bottoms (blastopore) are on their heads and their mouth is on their bottoms!

Hermit crabs don’t make their shells, they steal them from a mollusc (snail). No bills no rent ...they are always on holidays!

Who would have thought!? It’s the male seahorse that gives birth to the babies!

When threatened, globefish rapidly inflate themselves with water or air to become spherical in shape. This causes the spines to stand out from the body, making it very difficult for predators to attack.

Did you know that the little penguin is the smallest penguin species in the world, and the only blue penguin in colour! It's scientific name Eudyptula minor means 'great little diver!'.

With a ‘do’ like Tina Turner from the eighties, sea urchins have a protective covering of spines to protect themselves from predators,

Sea cucumbers are echinoderms are cousins to sea stars and sea urchins. They characteristically have tube feet. In many Asian countries sea cucumbers are regarded as a delicacy.

Octopuses are characterized by their eight arms,usually bearing suction cups. Octopuses are among the most intelligent and behaviorally flexible of all invertebrates. Nocturnal in nature, octopus are rarely seen.

More information about this workshop

What is our Rock-pool Discovery program all about?

In this one-hour interactive workshop your Students will be introduced to the amazing ecosystems and inhabitants of Port Phillip Bay.

Discover what an Intertidal Zone is, and learn about the various species which live in this biodiverse rich environment.

We’ll also discuss the important role that each and every species plays in this fragile ecosystem, and the impact mankind has on Port Phillip Bay and our Oceans

How many students may participate?

An absolute maximum of thirty children may participate in this program. We pride ourselves on a quality, engaging experience. Animal welfare is paramount to us. Multiple sessions for more than 30 children can be arranged on the same day if required.

What is our curriculum focus?

Students will learn about concepts such as:

What is an echinoderm, fish, mollusc, crustacean?
Adaptations
Intertidal habitats
The ecological niche of each animal, and the importance of conserving them. After all, every animal has a job to do!
Amazing fun facts!

What live animals should you expect to visit your classroom?

ECHINODERMS, Sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers FISH sea horse, puffer fish, Port Jackson shark + egg case CRUSTACEANS spider crabs, shore crab MOLLUSCS elephant snail, octopus (seasonal) + more!

AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS

Did you know that barn owls are the most cosmopolitan owl species in the world, found throughout the globe, except Antarctica. Why not put a nest box up in your back yard or school grounds to encourage owls to breed? They’ll control rodent populations free of charge!

Did you know know that the first ever green tree frog discovered was blue in colour? Hence their name Litoria caerulea.

The rainbow lorikeet has a hairy tongue for licking up nectar and pollen. The colorful parrot has proliferated due to mankind planting fruit trees and flowering native plants in suburbs along the East coast of Australia.

Australia does not have any native tortoise, only aquatic freshwater and marine turtles.

The black headed python has a distinctive black head to help it thermoregulate. This beautiful animal is cannibalistic and is very fond of eating it’s own kind!

Frilled Lizards affectionately called ‘frillies’ use their amazing frill to ward off potential threats. These wonderful lizards are now threatened in parts of Queensland due to habitat loss.

Did you know that crocodiles have 66 sharp teeth and that they can continually grow them back again. That’s one busy tooth fairy!

The laughing kookaburra is the World’s largest kingfisher. When they laugh, they are not being funny, they are actually aggressively triangulating their territory.

Mega bats are considered a vital key-stone species for the environment. They play a crucial role in pollinating flowers and germinating seeds.

Kangaroos belong to the Macropod family meaning ‘big foot’. Kangaroos employ a very clever reproductive strategy called embryonic diapause. Why not find out more in a WIld Action Show?

More information about this workshop

What is our Australian Animal program all about?

In this one-hour interactive workshop Students of all ages will be introduced to the amazing World of Australian Animals!

Australia certainly has some very unique, weird and wonderful creatures!

We’ll also discuss the important role that each and every species plays in our fragile ecosystems, and the impact mankind has had on their populations.

How many students may participate?

An absolute maximum of thirty children may participate in this program. We pride ourselves on a quality, engaging experience. Animal welfare is paramount to us. Multiple sessions for more than 30 children can be arranged on the same day if required.

What is our curriculum focus?

What is a Mammal, Bird, Reptile and Amphibian?
Learn about their different habitats, terrestrial, aquatic, arboreal, Subterranean
Environments i.e. desert, rainforest, wetlands, woodlands.
What does each animal eat. Predator/prey interrelationships
Food webs
Quirky fun facts!

What live animals should you expect to visit your classroom?

REPTILES, skink, monitor, gecko, fresh water turtle, python snake (non-venomous), crocodile AMPHIBIANS frog species BIRDS owl + others MAMMALS a selection of joey kangaroo, potoroo, bettong, flying fox, gliding possum or ringtail possum.

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY

Planting locally indigenous plants in your home garden and school provides habitat, and a food source for native wildlife. Not only will you be helping out animals, your environment will look beautiful too.

Why not create a ‘lizard lounge’ in your back yard or school yard. Blue-tongue lizards are perfect garden denizens, as help control snail populations in your garden. That’s fantastic news for your vegies!

Spare a thought for the poor grey-headed fox. Why not share some of your fruit in your garden with bats? After all they were here first. They are considered a ‘keystone’ species, and are important pollinators and seed germinators in Australia’s forests.

Encouraging insects in your garden like the praying mantis help control insect species. Wow, then there is no need to use harmful insecticides.

Annelid worms have segmented bodies. They help aerate soil and recycle nutrients back into your local environment. Did you know that earth worms are hermaphrodites (both sexes in one animal).

Tawny frogmouths are often confused with owls. They belong to the nightjar bird family, and unlike owls capture their food with their wide gaping mouths, rather than talons. Tawny frogmouths are one of the true ‘winners’ in suburbia. They have proliferated in suburbs attracted to the insects congregating around street lights at night.

Did you know that household pets are responsible for the mass killing of native animals each year. Be a responsible pet owner, never let your cat free to roam outdoors, and walk your dog on a leash.

Nesting boxes are an ideal way to created shelter and breeding sites for local wildlife. Suburban gardens often have very little native habitat, why not make a home for a possum, parrot or native owl species?

Echidnas, wallabies, possums and kangaroos often are casualties crossing busy roads and freeways. Always be on the lookout for wildlife, especially driving at dusk and dawn when aniamls are more active.

Learn what Species learn in your backyard or school environment. Learn how to help animals breed and proliferate. After all, every animal has a job to do.
The crimson rosella is an important seed disperser for our forests. Healthy forests = healthy people.

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What is our Backyard Biodiversity program all about?

In this one-hour interactive workshop Students of all ages will be introduced to the animal’s which call Melbourne and your local area…home!

The environs of Melbourne are complex and diverse. Be amazed by the indigenous wildlife that inhabit the various ecosystems on Melbourne’s doorstep. #Wild Action can change focus and species list depending on your location.

We’ll also discuss the important role that each and every species plays in our fragile ecosystems, and the impact mankind has had on them.

How many students may participate?

An absolute maximum of thirty children may participate in this program. We pride ourselves on a quality, engaging experience. Animal welfare is paramount to us. Multiple sessions for more than 30 children can be arranged on the same day if required.

What is our curriculum focus?

Learn about Melbourne’s incredible biodiversity.
Discuss positive measures which students can implement to help protect local biodiversity i.e. creating habitat, responsible pet ownership, pollution, recycling, nest boxes, invasive species.
Learn about different habitats, terrestrial, aquatic, arboreal, Subterranean.
What does each animal eat. Predator/prey interrelationships
Food webs
Quirky fun facts!

What live animals should you expect to visit your classroom?
#dependant on site locality.

Kangaroo joey, ringtail possum, worms, millipedes, tree goanna, tawny frogmouth, owl species, echidna, fresh water turtle, Eastern blue tongued lizard, grey headed flying fox, snake species, marine species of Port Phillip Bay + more!

INSECT-A-MANIA & MINIBEASTS

Scorpions are members of the Class Arachnida, they have eight legs and two body parts and are closely related to spiders, mites and ticks.
Scientists are sure why but scorpions are fluorescent under ultraviolet light.

Millipedes are invertebrates which belong to the class Diplopoda. Derived from Greek words diplous “double” and podos “foot”. Millipedes are herbivorous and eat plant matter.

Rhino beetles are frugivores which means that they survive as adults on pollen and soft fruits. Only the male has the impressive horn.

Australian tarantulas are myglomorph ‘primitive spiders. They characteristically have two pair sof book lungs and downward pointing chelicerae.

Mantis can turn their heads 180 degrees to scan their surroundings with two large compound eyes and three other simple eyes located between them.

Giant burrowing cockroaches are one of the World’s heaviest cockroaches. They can live up to twenty years and grow to the size of a human’s hand! These beautiful giants give birth to live babies and look after their babies in a cockroach creche.

Spiny leaf stick insects belong to the Insect family Phasmatodea. Phasma is Greek for apparition....or like a ghost. These incredible invertebrates mimic a dead leaf so predators can’t detect them.

More information about this workshop

What is our Insect-a-Mania & Minibeasts program all about?

In this one-hour interactive workshop Students of all ages will be introduced to the animal’s which call Melbourne and your local area home!

The suburbs of Melbourne

We’ll also discuss the important role that each and every species plays in our fragile ecosystems, and the impact mankind has had on their populations.

How many students may participate?

An absolute maximum of thirty children may participate in this program. We pride ourselves on a quality, engaging experience. Animal welfare is paramount to us. Multiple sessions for more than 30 children can be arranged on the same day if required.

What is our curriculum focus?

What is an Arthropod, Insect, Myriapod, Arachnid, Annelid, Crustacean & Echinoderm?
How do scientists classify and separate into Phylum’s, Classes etc.
Learn about their different habitats, terrestrial, aquatic, arboreal, Subterranean.
Environments i.e. desert, rainforest, wetlands, woodlands, ocean.
What does each animal eat. Predator/prey interrelationships
Food webs
Quirky fun facts!

What live animals can you expect to visit your Pre-School?

A huge selection of live INSECTS, MYRIAPODS, ARACHNIDS, ANNELIDS, CRUSTACEANS, ECHINODERMS + 2 predators. (seasonal variety dictates).