It’s weird how Australia’s “tall poppy syndrome” even extends to nature.
Have you noticed how Aussies seem to be in awe of wild animals overseas but don’t appear “that fussed” by the awesome creatures from back home? Here’s some remarkable biodiversity from our “hood” which warrant special recognition for high attainment. They’ve made their mark on the global stage, so think of them as nature’s equivalent of Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Rusty Crowe, Cate Blanchett or the Hemsworth clan.
The tiny eastern pygmy possum (pictured) is surely the cutest animal on the planet, but it also holds the world record for sleeping! In 2007, under laboratory conditions, one curled up and dozed for a record-breaking 367 days. Grizzly bears are light weights compared to our own icon of hibernation.
The southern brown bandicoot is listed as “critically endangered” on the Insular Peninsula. That’s just the kind of situation where it’s beneficial to hold a world record for the shortest gestation period of any mammal. Just 11 days!
One local resident that you won’t want to mess with is the Sydney funnel-web spider, It’s actually the most venomous spider in the world. So, stick that where the sun don’t shine tarantula!
Talking of dangerous creatures…we can also claim to have several of the world’s deadliest snakes living amongst us in Tawny Frogmouth country. We’re talking tiger, eastern brown, death adder and red-bellied blacks here. Remember, these snakes are generally much more afraid of you, than you are of them, rarely venturing into backyards – but they can be very useful in scaring off encroaching Poms!
Let’s not forget that we also have the world’s most dangerous ant (the bull ant) residing in “God’s Country”. Not only has it got a venomous bite, but it also has a poisonous sting. Apparently, this little charmer has actually killed three people since 1936.
The “critically endangered” swift parrot may not be a permanent Peninsula resident, but it regularly drops by in summer. This is the fastest flying parrot in the world. The Australian public voted it “Bird of the Year” in 2023 but the Tasmanian forests, where it breeds, continue to be logged. (Ironically the Tawny Frogmouth was voted second!)
We also have the smallest penguin in the world right here on the Beaches. This is the little (or fairy penguin) which is only circa 33cm tall. The declining population, living in rocky coves near Manly, is actually the only breeding colony on the NSW mainland.
One of our proudest local achievers must surely be the brown antechinus (colloquially called a marsupial mouse) holder of the world record for rooting. It goes at it, non-stop, for up to 14 hours at a time and this involves numerous partners. The only downside is that the male of the species has so much frenetic sex that his body ultimately disintegrates, and he’ll die before his first birthday.
The greatest mimic in the animal kingdom is the lyrebird – an illustrious member of our avian community. They can authentically reproduce almost any sound, including other bird calls, human voices, alarms, chain saws, even trains!
The bar-tailed godwit holds the world record for the longest non-stop flight of any bird. In 2022, one was recorded migrating 13,560 kms from Alaska to Australia, taking over 11 days. They can occasionally be spotted at Careel Bay.
The humpback whale, a regular visitor along our coastline, holds the world record for the longest documented mammal migration. They typically travel up to 25,000 km a year.
One bird, often seen flying over local cliff tops, actually holds one of the most prestigious titles of them all. The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal in the word. It’s been recorded diving, in flight, at 386 km/h.
You’ll also be pleased to know that our greengrocer cicada hasn’t caused you sleepless nights for nothing. It auspiciously holds the world record for the loudest insect – producing noise, in excess of 120 decibels, that can be heard from an impressive 2.4kms away. Take a bow all of our truly accomplished animal species.
Sadly, Australia holds another world record… Our nation is the global leader in mammal extinction. Thirty-eight species have been driven to oblivion since colonisation. A further fifty-two are classified as endangered (and rising).
If you want to see change, please ring our Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek’s office, on 9379 0700 and ask for our environment protection laws to be urgently strengthened, as was promised.
Enjoy that?
Of course you did! Be sure to catch up with all of Mal’s Wild Side and Environment focused articles here