Tasmania has many unique mammals found nowhere else in the world. Some, like the
Tasmanian devil are well-known. Others, such as the
eastern quoll,
pademelon,bettong and
long-tailed mouse are less well-known, but equally fascinating.
Like most of Australia's mammals, the Tasmanian mammal fauna comprises many marsupials, or pouched mammals. Marsupials are remarkable for their method of reproduction, such as the production of very tiny young which complete their development in a pouch.
Tasmania has many species which have become, or are on the verge of extinction on mainland Australia. The relatively large amount of intact habitat on the island, and the absence of many introduced animals that have caused problems elsewhere make Tasmania a final refuge - a last chance - for many species.
Choose the species or mammal family you wish to see from the full species list below:
Echidnas and Platypus - Order Monotremata
Family Ornithorhychidae (Platypus)
Platypus
Ornithorhynchus anatinus
Family Tachyglossidae (Echidnas)
Short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus
Carnivorous Marsupials and Bandicoots - Order Polyprotodonta
Family Dasyuridae (Carnivorous Marsupials)
Tasmanian devil
Sarcophilus harrisii
Spotted-tailed quoll
Dasyurus maculatus
Eastern quoll
Dasyurus viverrinus
Tasmanian dusky antechinus
Antechinus swainsonii
Tasman Peninsula dusky antechinus Antechinus vandycki
Swamp antechinus
Antechinus minimus
Rufous-bellied pademelon
Thylogale billardierii