Wildlife

Mammals

Platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus

The platypus is restricted to the East Coast of Australia and Tasmania where it mainly inhabits fresh water rivers, streams, ponds and lakes. It is usually active around dusk and dawn, but may be nocturnal, diurnal or crepuscular.

The platypus feeds mainly on aquatic invertebrates sifted from the substrate by the complex bill apparatus. Food obtained during a dive is stored in cheek pouches until it can be ground up by horny plates while the animal floats on the surface.

Breeding occurs in spring and the female constructs an elaborate nesting burrow which may be up to 20 metres long. Usually 2 eggs are laid and these are incubated for 1 to 2 weeks. The young feed on milk for the first 4 or 5 months before they leave the burrow.

The platypus is listed as a vulnerable species.

Platypus are seen often on Tour 1.

Musky Rat–kangaroo Hypsiprymnodon moschatus

The Musky Rat–kangaroo is restricted to the wet tropical rainforest of north eastern Queensland where it is found from sea level to an elevation of over 1000 metres.

They are the smallest of the macropods (kangaroo family) and exhibit some unusual features including diurnal activity, opposable “big toe” allowing it to climb fallen trees, and carrying nesting material with a semi-prehensile tail.

The diet comprises fruits, nuts, insects and fungi in varying proportions throughout the year. Some seeds are scatter hoarded and not all of these are relocated, thus aiding the dispersal of the seeds.

Breeding takes place from October to April and usually two young are produced. The young remain in the pouch for 21 weeks, after which they gradually spend longer and longer periods away from the nest, becoming fully independent at about six months.

The Musky Rat–kangaroo is fairly common in undisturbed rainforest and considered secure.

Musky Rat-kangaroo is seen often on Tour 1 and regularly on Tour 2.

Lumholtz's Tree–kangaroo Dendrolagus lumholtzi

Lumholtz's Tree–kangaroo is found only in rainforest in the foothills, tablelands and mountains of the central wet tropics region. It is most common on the Atherton Tableland where its local aboriginal name is Mabi.

Mainly nocturnal it is an efficient climber, using stout re–curved claws of its powerful forelimbs to help ascend trees, and then sometimes hopping like a normal kangaroo along larger horizontal branches in the canopy.

Food consists primarily of the leaves of certain species of rainforest trees and shrubs, large quantities of which are digested in the large sacculated stomach.

A single young is produced and pouch life is approximately 230 days. Young may accompany their mothers until they are well over two years old.

Much of the remaining habitat of this species is now protected and it is considered relatively secure.

Lumholtz's Tree–kangaroo is seen regularly on Tour 1 and rarely on Tour 2.

Green Ringtail Possum Pseudochirops archeri

The Green Ringtail Possum lives in dense upland rainforest in the wet tropics region of north east Queensland. Markedly arboreal it rarely descends to the ground and seems to prefer areas with many tangled, thornless vines.

The diet consists almost exclusively of leaves which are probably digested in the particularly large colon. It is known to pass food through its gut twice by eating special faecal pellets produced during the day. The Green Ringtail has the most specialised diet of all the rainforest ringtails, including the leaves of figs and some noxious and toxic plants.

The female normally gives birth to a single young, mainly from August to November. On leaving the pouch the young is carried on the back of the mother for some months.

Much of the remaining habitat is now protected and the species is considered secure.

The Green Ringtail Possum is seen often on Tour 1 and regularly on Tour 2.

Daintree Ringtail Possum Pseudochirulus cinereus

The Daintree Ringtail Possum lives in the rainforests at the northern end of the wet tropics of Queensland above 450 metres in elevation. It is mainly arboreal and nocturnal, spending the day resting in tree hollows and epiphytic clumps.

Leaves of rainforest trees form the bulk of the diet, with two favoured species being Bleeding Heart and Pink Almond. Several species of fruit are also eaten.

Usually two young are reared any time from July to December. Young will ride on the mothers back, but are sometimes “parked” in low foliage to be picked up later.

The entire range is approximately 24,000 hectares on three distinct mountain top areas which are protected. The species is secure.

 

Daintree Ringtail Possum is seen often on Tour 2.

Herbert River Ringtail Possum Psuedochirulus herbertensis

The Herbert River Ringtail inhabits upland rainforest and tall, wet sclerophyll forest in the wet tropics region of north–eastern Queensland. Strictly nocturnal, they usually spend the day in a tree hollow, or under an epiphyte, but will build a drey where nesting sites are unavailable.

The diet consists largely of the leaves of trees such as the cadaghi and pink bloodwood, fruits of vines and the silver quandong, as well as flowers of the bumpy satin ash.

Breeding occurs from April to December and the litter size is usually two. The young remain in the pouch for around 120 days and are weaned at 150 days. Adult size is reached at twelve months.

Most of the remaining habitat is protected in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Status — secure.

The Herbert River Ringtail Possum is seen regularly on Tour 1.

Lemuroid Ringtail Possum Hemibelideus lemeroides

The Lemuroid Ringtail Possum is found in mature rainforest above 600 metres on the Atherton Tablelands and above 900 metres on the Carbine Tablelands (Mt Lewis) north east Queensland. Invariably arboreal and strictly nocturnal it spends the day in a tree hollow.

It feeds almost exclusively on the leaves of at least thirty seven species of rainforest trees. It has also been recorded eating flowers and the fleshy outer covering of some fruits.

One young is produced usually between August and November and young are seen riding on their mothers backs from October to April. More gregarious than other species it is frequently seen in groups of two or three.

The species is sensitive to habitat disturbance but appears secure as substantial tracts of its rainforest habitat are now protected.

The Lemeroid Ringtail Possum is seen often on Tour 1 and occasionally on Tour 2.