In May I revealed how some of our local wildlife species were setting global animal records in everything from rooting to sleeping. But there are many other gold medal performances deserving recognition too.
The Pied butcherbird is widely considered to top the international charts when it comes to beautiful birdsong. Its melodic call has been likened to a “magic flute” whilst its complex repertoire includes tones of Beethoven’s Fifth.
We are blessed to have the planet’s longest stick insect hanging out in our hood, the fittingly christened “Goliath” which can grow up to 200mm. It travels very little and can spend its entire life occupying a single eucalypt tree.
Our Golden orb weaving spiders produce the toughest silk on earth, fibres stronger than any man-made substance including steel and Kevlar. So far, no laboratory has been able to synthetically replicate it. The Golden orb could also be rated as the world’s tastiest spider…apparently – as conservationists, we would never harm them of course!
We also have Fishing spiders which hunt in and around creeks and ponds for frogs, tadpoles and small fish. This is an amazing thing in itself but one of our Sydney arachnids actually holds the undisputed record for the biggest ever catch by such a spider – a goldfish measuring 9cm and weighing 10g.
The tiny Blue-ringed octopus, sometimes found in the Peninsula’s rock pools, is amongst the world’s most venomous marine animals. It contains a powerful neurotoxin 1,000 times more powerful than cyanide. It has no known antidote and can paralyse and kill humans within minutes. Leave well alone!
We can also lay claim to having the planet’s largest seahorse. It’s appropriately called the Big-belly seahorse and can grow over 35cm long. The male carries eggs in a pouch located under its tail, hatching up to 700 young at a time.
Another of our accomplished sea creatures is the Southern right whale which can be seen off our coast from June to August as it travels north to breed. Yes, it holds the world record you’ve been waiting for. It’s the animal with the largest gonads…its testicles weigh a massive 1,000kg.
Sulphur-crested cockatoos are commonly seen squawking across our skies. A relative of these beauties was the longest living bird ever recorded. “Cocky Bennett”, which was kept as a pet, drew breath to the ripe old age of 120. Its owner even had an obituary printed when it “fell off the perch”.
One marsupial “legend” which should probably live in our area is the yellow-bellied glider. It holds the record for the longest “jump” by any animal. It can glide through the trees for up to 140 metres, thanks to large folds of skin stretching from wrist to the ankle.
It’s listed on the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage “Bionet” website as being known to exist in Pittwater. But its population has shrunk nationwide and, just like the koala, it no longer graces our district. Continued habitat loss from development, logging and bushfires has put them, and many other native animals on the sad path to extinction.
If you want our unique wildlife to be better protected, please call Federal Environment Minister, Murray Watt, on (07) 5531 1033 and ask for strong environment laws to be put in place. Or email him at senator.watt@aph.gov.au
Enjoy that?
Of course you did! Be sure to catch up with all of Mal’s Wild Side and Environment focused articles here