Australian_Painted_Lady_01

Details	Description
Type	Invertebrate
Group	Insect - Butterfly
Other Common Names	Blue-spotted Painted Lady
Identifying Characteristics	Pale brown underwings and orange and brown upper wings. Tiny blue eyespots on hind wings. Larvae are brown and spikey with a pale yellow stripe along each side. A long proboscis is used to extract nectar from flowers. The adult wingspan is up to 5 cm.
Distinctive Markings	The forewing has four white dots near the apex and a white bar running inward from the edge.
Diet	Herbivore. Native Everlasting daisies, other daisy species, grasses and introduced Capeweed, Scotch Thistle and Lavender.
Habitat	Urban areas.
Native Status	Native to Australia

Taxonomy
Phylum	Arthropoda
Class	Insecta
Order	Lepidoptera
Family	Nymphalidae
Species	kershawi

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List	Not listed
FFG Act	Not listed
EPBC Act	Not listed

Photo(s):

Striped Legless Lizard

Delma impar

Diurnal. Oviparous (egg laying) generally producing 2 eggs during spring/summer.

Details	Description
Type	Reptile
Group	Lizard
Other Common Names	Many-lined Delma, Striped Snake-lizard
Identifying Characteristics	Adults can grow up to 30 cm long. There are no fore limbs present and hind limbs are reduced to small flaps on each side of the vent. External ear openings are present. The tongue is broad and undivided. The tail is long.
Distinctive Markings	Pale grey-brown colour above, with a darker head. The underside is almost white in colour. This species has a pattern of light and dark bands running along its length.
Diet	Carnivore. Spiders, crickets, cicadas, caterpillars and moth larvae.
Habitat	Generally perennial lowland tussock grassland and some woodland.
Native Status	Native to Australia

Taxonomy
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Reptilia
Order	Squamata
Family	Pygopodidae
Genus	Delma
Species	impar

Occurs in fragmented grassland areas in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List	Endangered
FFG Act	Listed as threatened
EPBC Act	Vulnerable

FFG Action Statement
Striped legless lizard

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.

Photo(s):

Spotted Marsh Frog

Limnodynastes tasmaniensis (southern call race)

Breeding season: autumn, spring-summer. Females lay 80-1500 pigmented eggs within a floating foam mass.

Details	Description
Type	Amphibian
Group	Frog - Southern Frog
Other Common Names	Spotted Grass Frog
Identifying Characteristics	Male 31-42 mm. Female 32-47 mm. A squat species with muscular hind legs and a conspicuous gland beneath the eye, extending to above the forearm.
Distinctive Markings	Adults generally have a smooth pale grey-brown dorsal surface with large olive green spots, and a yellow, red or orange mid-dorsal stripe. Moderately pointed snout and indistinct tympanum.
Diet	Carnivore. Insects including beetles, moths, cicadas and caterpillars, also spiders and other invertebrates.
Habitat	Wet areas, flood plains and semi-permanent water in open forests, woodlands, shrublands and grasslands. Common in farm dams. In dry periods finds shelter in cracks in the ground or under large rocks.
Native Status	Native to Australia
Sounds	The identifying call is a short, sharp 'click' or 'plock' regularly repeated, resembling the sound made when two stones are struck together.

Taxonomy
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Amphibia
Order	Anura
Family	Limnodynastidae
Genus	Limnodynastes
Species	tasmaniensis

South-eastern and north-eastern Australia from South Australia throughout eastern Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, and southern and central Queensland.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List	Not listed
FFG Act	Not listed
EPBC Act	Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.

Audio samples:

Photo(s):

Southern Brown Bandicoot

Isoodon obesulus obesulus

Mostly active at night; spends the daytime sheltering in a hollow log or a well hidden shallow hole in the ground lined with leaf litter. Digs narrow, cone-shaped holes in the soil in search of food. Prefers to stay close to cover when in search of food. Breeding can occur between winter and autumn, usually 2-4 young per litter, with up to three litters per year. Survival depends on finding and defending an adequate territory; a large adult may need 7 hectares. They usually live alone and can live up to 3 years.

Details	Description
Type	Mammal
Group	Marsupial
Other Common Names	Short-nosed Bandicoot
Identifying Characteristics	Body fur brown-grey on back and paler underneath. Face cone-shaped. Short forelegs and long hind legs. Body up to 35 cm, tail up to 13 cm.
Distinctive Markings	Cone-shaped nose. Short tail.
Diet	Omnivore. Insects including cicadas, moths and butterflies, also worms and other invertebrates. Plant roots from native grasses and herbs, tubers including the Yam daisy and fungi.
Habitat	Lives in woodland and forest with heath or shrub understorey, also coastal heath and scrub. Prefers a mosaic of areas including some burnt areas as regenerating vegetation after fire supports more abundant insect food.
Native Status	Native to Australia

Taxonomy
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Peramelemorphia
Family	Peramelidae
Genus	Isoodon
Species	obesulus obesulus

"Southern coastal parts from central New South Wales to eastern South Australia. Also Tasmania and south-west Western Australia. "

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List	Near threatened
FFG Act	Listed as threatened
EPBC Act	Endangered

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.

Photo(s):

Growling Grass Frog

Litoria raniformis

Breeding season: Spring and early summer. Females lay 1,900-3,900 pigmented eggs in a floating jelly raft which sinks soon after. Males generally call while floating in open water.

Details	Description
Type	Amphibian
Group	Frog - Tree Frog
Other Common Names	Southern Bell Frog, Golden Bell Frog, Warty Bell Frog
Identifying Characteristics	Male 55-65 mm. Female 60-104 mm. A large warty species ususally with a pale mid-dorsal stripe and a paler dorso-lateral fold from eye to groin.
Distinctive Markings	Adults vary from bright green to brown with brown or golden blotches on a warty back. Elongated snout and distinct tympanum.
Diet	Carnivore. Adults feed on crickets, cicadas, beetles, moths, caterpillars, other invertebrates, small frogs and fish.
Habitat	Well vegetated ditches, dams and swamps
Native Status	Native to Australia
Sounds	The identifying call is a repeated long growl "crawark-crawark-crok-crok".

Taxonomy
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Amphibia
Order	Anura
Family	Hylidae
Genus	Litoria
Species	raniformis

Once common and widespread acoss south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. Now endangered in Victoria.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List	Endangered
FFG Act	Listed as threatened
EPBC Act	Vulnerable

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.

Audio samples:

Photo(s):

Eastern Barred Bandicoot (Mainland)

Perameles gunnii

Active at night. Can breed throughout the year, but mostly between July to November. Pregnancy lasts just 12 days, so they can produce up to five litters of young per year, with an average litter size of two. Can breed after 4 months of age. Average lifespan is 18 months to 2 years. Males need 13-20 hectares while females need 2-3 hectares.

Details	Description
Type	Mammal
Group	Marsupial
Other Common Names	Tasmanian Barred Bandicoot
Identifying Characteristics	Upper body fur brown and grey, marked with three or four pale stripes on its hindquarters, white underparts and feet. Long nose and ears. Short white tail. Body up to 35 cm, tail up to 11 cm.
Distinctive Markings	White stripes on rear of back, short white tail, long nose.
Diet	Omnivore. Small invertebrates including worms, beetles, crickets, moths, cicadas and caterpillars. Plant bulbs and tubers including the Plains Yam Daisy, fruits and fungi.
Habitat	Natural habitat is tall, dense native grasslands and grassy woodlands, although they can live in modified habitats if there is suitable shelter and control of predators such as cats and foxes.
Native Status	Native to Australia. Once widespread across western Victoria.

Taxonomy
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Peramelemorphia
Family	Peramelidae
Genus	Perameles
Species	gunnii

South-eastern Australia, including south-western Victoria.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List	Extinct in the Wild
FFG Act	Listed as threatened
EPBC Act	Endangered

FFG Action Statement
Eastern barred bandicoot

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.

Photo(s):

Tiger Snake

Notechis scutatus

Viviparous (live young). Producing 20-30 live young late summer or early autumn. Active day and night.

Details	Description
Type	Reptile
Group	Snake
Other Common Names	Mainland Tiger Snake
Identifying Characteristics	Varies in colour from uniform light brown to black. Adults can reach 2 m in length. Broad, flattened heads.
Distinctive Markings	Alternating light and dark bands. Occasionally bands may be absent
Diet	Carnivore. Frogs and small insects including cicadas, moths and caterpillars.
Habitat	Prefers swampy or marshy ground. Found near creeks, rivers or dams.
Native Status	Native to Australia

Taxonomy
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Reptilia
Order	Squamata
Family	Elapidae
Genus	Notechis
Species	scutatus

Found in the temperate areas of southern Australia, including Tasmania.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List	Not listed
FFG Act	Not listed
EPBC Act	Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.

Photo(s):

Feral Cat

Felis catus

Some cats are urban strays surviving mainly on human refuse. Others are feral animals which survive by eating native animals. Usually solitary and nocturnal, spending most of the day sheltering in a hollow log, rock pile or an old burrow. Rabbits have helped the spread of feral cats by providing food and burrows for shelter. Feral cats breed from the age of about one year in any season. They can have up to 2 litters of about four kittens each year. Feral cats are prey for foxes, dingoes and wedge-tailed eagles.

Details	Description
Type	Mammal
Group	Placental
Identifying Characteristics	Fur short, red-brown, black or ginger. Body up to 60 cm long.
Distinctive Markings	Often stripes, dots, lines or patterns on fur.
Diet	Carnivore. Small mammals including young rabbits and bandicoots. Birds, especially ground-nesting or ground-dwelling birds, including eggs and hatchlings, small reptiles, frogs and invertebrates.
Habitat	Most areas, except wetlands.
Native Status	Introduced

Taxonomy
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carnivora
Family	Felidae
Genus	Felis
Species	catus

Throughout Australia, including western Victoria.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List	Not listed
FFG Act	Not listed
EPBC Act	Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.

Audio samples:

Fungi

Diet:

Decomposer - breaks down dead and organic matter.

Fungi do not produce their own food. We generally observe the spore-producing fruiting bodies of fungi, however the majority of the organism lives underground, consisting of a network of microscopically thin threads called hyphae. This network, called a mycelium, spreads throughout the soil and decomposes organic matter in the soil.