Weather

How seasons affect Australian animals and plants

KangarooKangaroos enjoy eating shoots and green leaves. During the months where there is not much rainfall Kangaroos sense where the rain is and travel to these areas as they know food will be there. If there is a drought, meaning no rain for a long time, the Kangaroo will not have Joeys (baby Kangaroo).

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Hopping MouseThe Hopping Mouse live in the desert where the sand in the summer months can become too hot to touch. These animals sleep during the day, in tunnels that are cool. During the night time they come out to feed. These animals have adapted to living without much water. They get their water from the food they eat.

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RosellaRosellas search for the perfect home. They search for holes in trees that are safe from rain. Its important for the Rosella to find the perfect home so that they can lay eggs. The Rosella sits on the eggs for three weeks to keep them nice and warm until they hatch.

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CockatooThere are 12 kinds of Cockatoos living in Australia. In the summer months lots of Cockatoos make there way to farms where they feed on the grains at which the farmer is growing. When danger comes they make a loud screech, this is a warning sign for all other Cockatoos.

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EmuEmus travel to find there food. They eat fruit, plants and insects. They can run very fast which helps them when they come across danger such as a hungry Dingo.

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PlatypusThe male platypus as a way to protect itself injects poison through the use of spurs which look like claws.

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BilbyThe Bilby during the summer months make a tunnel to escape the heat. These tunnels can be longer than a car and deeper than the height of an adult. Bilbies live in the desert where there is not much water. They get there water from their food.

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EchidnaEchidnas like to eat ants and termites. They are able to quickly hide when there is danger by digging into the ground and taking cover.

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Gum TreeDuring a fire the oil that is within the wood and leaves burns easily. The roots of the tree survive the fire and will grow once the fire has passed.

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BanksiaThe Banksia seeds are in a cone. The only way for the seeds to come out is during a fire. When there is a fire the cone breaks open and the seeds drop out. The seeds will than hopefully grow on the burnt ground where they lie.

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Sturt Desert PeaIn the desert there is not much rain however where there is rain the Sturt Desert Peas come to life and cover the ground. The flower will soon die once the rain has stopped. The seeds fall to the ground, they are a hard seed, this allows the seed not dry out. When the next rainfall comes the seed will start to grow.

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Porcupine GrassPorcupine Grass is able to with stand the heat within the desert as it has long roots that grow deep into the land. Lizards and other animals use this plant as a way to shelter from the hot sun.

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For further information about Australian animals and plants please click on the following websites:www.australianfauna.comwww.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-faunawww.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/kids/plants/index.shtml