4Real Forums: Marsupials in Australia

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Across Time and Place
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Topic: Marsupials in Australia

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JennGM
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Posted: May 04 2009 at 10:00am \| IP Logged

At a used book sale this spring I picked up Complete Adventures of Blinky Bill by Dorothy Wall about a Koala Bear Blinky written in the 1930s.

After consulting Erin's Aussie Threads and seeing it on the list and her sharing that her kids love Blinky, we're reading this at bedtime. My 5 year old is really loving it.

Of course, this is taking us on different rabbit trails. We don't know much about Australia's geography or habitat or flora and fauna, so there are so many new terms or expressions we have to learn about.

Every time a new animal is mentioned, we pull out animal books to learn more about them. What has struck me is that there are so many marsupials in Australia. I know there are some in other countries, but Australia has the most. In the United States only the oppossum is a natural occurring marsupial.

Has anyone read any theories as to why or what in Australia lends to having so many marsupials?

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Jennifer G. Miller
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Erin
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Posted: May 05 2009 at 9:14am \| IP Logged

Jenn

You generated some great discussion for us at tea tonight

Xavier (my 12yr old) and nature buff knew the answer to your question. And dh verified that he was correct when he arrived home.

Our climate, landscape and flora and the fact that until 200 years ago we didn't have predators such as dogs and cats is the answer to your question.

Did you know that marsupials can control their reproductive system? For example in a drought a kangaroo can delay giving birth to their young for two years.

Very pleased to hear that G. is enjoying Blinky Bill. Isn't he naughty.

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Erin
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JennGM
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Posted: May 05 2009 at 10:21am \| IP Logged

Oh, thank you, Erin! Yes, he is so naughty. G has to cover his ears sometimes when he's getting into trouble, as he hates disasters. But what a perfect book to learn more about Australia?

We've got scads more questions, like Where can we get a good description of "the bush" described at the time? Where was Blinky supposed to live in the bush (can we see it on a map?) Is a gum tree eucalyptus tree, and if so, why is it called gum? What are the differences between a kangaroo and wallabee? Do all these animals get along usually or are they just combined in the book? are just a few that come to mind right now.

So, back to the subject at hand, what aspects of Australian climate help the marsupials survive?

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Jennifer G. Miller
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'03 & ds2

'07
Family in Feast and Feria

Erin
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Posted: May 06 2009 at 4:56pm \| IP Logged

Blinky's Bush was no doubt somewhere along the Great Dividing Range, more likely in the vicinity of the Blue Mountains. If you look on a map you will find the Great Dividing Range extends for hundreds of kilometers parallel to the East Coast of Australia, it starts in Victoria, runs through New South Wales and finishes in Queensland.

We live in the bush. The Great Dividing Range is 70 kilometers to the west of us. The bush generally refers to an area that has tall trees (eucalyptus)- perhaps a bit like your forests. This is used in a somewhat sweeping manner by Australians to refer to huge areas. It actually can have a two layered meaning, the Blue Mountains is bushland and yet it is only an hour from Sydney and is very built up amongst the bush. But the other meaning is to be not in the city and also amongst the eucalyptus.

We have terms like this, the bush, the scrub, out west, the outback, the city; all have meaning but refer to huge areas.

Gum Trees are Eucalyptus Trees. This refers to the trees that have sap seeping out of their bark. Not all Eucalyptus trees are gum trees. I love gum trees although they are also called 'widow makers' (remember Seven Little Australians) for their tendency to drop their branches for no reason. The children know to not set up their tents under a gum or they just may not wake up!

Wallabies and Kangaroos are both marsupials, but wallabies are much smaller. Wallaby is a term given to any macropod smaller than a kangaroo. Macropods includes kangaroos, wallabies, tree-kangaroos, pademelons, and several others. Kangaroos and wallabies don't conflict at all. Now bucks (male kangaroos) are another story. I stood at my kitchen window the other day trying to take photos of two males having a mock fight. They use their tales to balance on and kick out with their hind legs, and spar and carry on. A real fight would be something awful to behold. Our children know what to do if they come upon a kangaroo when down in the bush, although so far all bar one have hopped away.

Each marsupial has its own 'area', for example some are more suited to the 'wet' others to the 'outback'. It is the marsupials reproductive system, its own ability to adapt itself to the climate that helps it survive, also many marsupials are nocturnal. (Much cooler then.)

Hope this helps, it is a bit hard sometimes as you use terms and aren't aware that they are not familiar terms to non-Australians. Feel free to ask.

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Erin
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