15 Fascinating Facts about Australian Wildlife

Australia is home to some of the most unique and incredible wildlife on the planet! From the iconic kangaroo to the elusive platypus, our native species are full of surprises. At Sunset Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, we support many of these amazing animals—especially macropods, the marsupial family that includes kangaroos, wallabies, and pademelons.

Here are some fun and fascinating facts about our furry, feathered, and scaly Australian friends!

1. Macropod means “big foot.” The word macropod comes from Greek, meaning "large foot"—which makes sense when you see the powerful hind legs of a kangaroo!

2. Kangaroos can’t walk backward. Thanks to their muscular tails and unique leg structure, kangaroos can only move forward. That’s why they’re featured on Australia’s coat of arms—symbolizing progress!

3. Wallabies are the “fun-sized” version of kangaroos. While they belong to the same family, wallabies are smaller, with stockier builds and different teeth suited to a forest diet.

4. Pademelons are the tiniest of the trio. These shy little macropods look like mini wallabies and prefer dense rainforest habitats. They’re rarely seen—and only inhabit a small section of Australia down the East Coast from Northern NSW up into tropical QLD. There is also a breed of pademelon that is exclusive to Tasmania!

5. The Yellow-Bellied Glider isn’t a macropod, but it is endangered! This adorable, fluffy marsupial is one of Australia’s rarest gliding possums. They make loud, high-pitched calls at night and can glide up to 100 meters between trees! They are also fond of the creek that runs through Sunset Creek Wildlife Sanctuary!

6. The platypus can sense electricity. One of Australia’s strangest creatures, the platypus hunts underwater using electroreception—detecting electric fields produced by their prey!

7. Echidnas have spines, but they’re great swimmers. These spiky little monotremes (egg-laying mammals) use their snouts as snorkels while paddling through water!

8. Koalas sleep up to 20 hours a day. They need all that rest to digest eucalyptus leaves, which are tough and low in nutrients.

9. Sugar gliders are tiny but can soar through the air. These little marsupials use a skin membrane between their limbs to glide between trees, just like their larger cousin, the yellow-bellied glider.

10. Wombats have cube-shaped poop. Believe it or not, wombats poop in cubes! This helps prevent their droppings from rolling away—useful for marking territory on uneven terrain.

11. Kangaroos can “pause” their pregnancies. Female kangaroos have an incredible ability called embryonic diapause, which allows them to pause the development of their baby (joey) until conditions are right for survival!

12. Cassowaries are living dinosaurs. These large, flightless birds have sharp claws and a bony head crest (called a casque), making them one of the closest living relatives of ancient dinosaurs!

13. Quokkas are the “world’s happiest animals.” These small marsupials, native to Rottnest Island, are famous for their adorable, smiling faces—but they also have a strong survival instinct and can go for long periods without water.

14. Goannas can breathe while running. Unlike most reptiles, goannas (large Australian monitor lizards) have a special respiratory system that lets them breathe while sprinting, making them efficient hunters.

15. Dingoes don’t bark—they howl! Unlike domestic dogs, dingoes rarely bark and instead communicate through howling and yipping, much like wolves.

At Sunset Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, we care for injured and orphaned macropods and other native wildlife. Every animal has a story, and we’re dedicated to giving them a second chance.

Want to learn more? Come visit us, support our rescue efforts, or even adopt a joey to help us care for these incredible creatures!

Which fun fact surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!