Native Fauna
Over 1,000 species of native animals live within the Northern Territory, including about 400 species of birds, 150 species of mammals, 300 species of reptiles, 50 species of frogs, 60 species of freshwater fish and several hundred species of marine fish. We’re not sure how many of these live only in the Top End but when we find out we’ll update this page.
The Top End is home to many dangerous animals including venomous snakes and spiders as well as the saltwater crocodile. It even boasts the odd flesh eating critter. However like anywhere, the vast majority of fauna here will leave you alone as long as you don't threaten it.
The tropical savannas of northern Australia are important for many reasons and are a refuge for biodiversity of world significance. These savannas are home to hundreds of species of native plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians and tens of thousands of different species of invertebrates. Many species in all these groups are found nowhere else in the world.
It would be indulgent to attempt to list here all the creatures we come across on a regular basis and we have much to learn about what many of them are but some of our favourites include:
the beautiful Rainbow Bee-eaters who delight and entertain us with impressive aerobatic displays;
“Hop-a-long”, the three legged frilled lizard that likes to hang out on one of our mahogany trees;
“Eddie Lizzard”, one of many water monitors living in the network of underground tunnels spanning our block;
the pairs of Radjah Shelducks that hang out in our mahogany trees and love bathing in the creek;
Gilberts Dragons which are beautiful, speedy lizards with Adam Ant-style facial markings;
the cheeky green tree frogs who love human interaction;
the blue winged kookaburras that can’t do anything quietly;
the spangled drongos with their bizarre gurgling and whistling songs;
the tiny wee multi-coloured spider (as yet unidentified) with strange sideways body;
the mobs of fair-furred wallabies that bounce through the garden depositing roo poo everywhere;
“Lumpy”, the possum who lives in our bathroom roof and who we’re forever rescuing when he falls into the wall cavity;
the sparkly gold lamé frogs who turn up in the weirdest damp places;
the pair of Bush Stone Curlews, (listed as a vulnerable species) who return each dry season to breed and make eerie noises during the night.