Animals of Aus­tralia facts

Platypus. The venom produced in the crural glands of the male platypus is not lethal to humans. However, it produces excruciating pain which does not respond even to morphine; sometimes the pain develops into a long-lasting hyperalgesia that can persist for months. Some biologists suggest that the venom may work directly on the brain's pain receptors. Other venomous mammals are small insectivores and vampire bats, which produce toxic saliva.

3500 years ago. Dingos were introduced to Australia from Southern Asia with one of the waves of human settlement thousands of years ago, when dogs were still relatively undomesticated and closer to their wild Asian gray wolf parent species. They developed features and instincts that distinguish them from all other canines.

Australia. The desert-dwelling thorny devil is harmless to all except ants. The animal also features a spiny "false head" on the back of its neck, presented to potential predators by dipping its real head. It may be found in the western Australia.

In Australia. The domesticated form occurs widely in North Africa, South Asia and the Middle East, but the only population in the wild is in Australia. Dromedary camels were brought over by the early colonizers as pack animals. They became redundant with the arrival of motor transport, and today's feral herds are their ascendants.

Cassowary. Cassowaries have hornlike but soft casques on their heads, up to 18 cm long (7 in). The role of casques is uncertain. The simplest theory is that they protect the skull from collisions, when the birds lower their heads when running. It could be, however, that casques help to cool blood, protect from falling fruits or amplify low sounds made by cassowaries.

Australia is the leading producer of wool (25% of global production) which is mostly from Merino sheep. Other large producers of wool are New Zealand, China and the United States (mostly in Texas and New Mexico).