Native Fauna at

being the most abundant. Healthy and

diverse populations of amphibians and
Deep Creek native fish also occur in the Park.

Why is native fauna important at

Deep Creek?

There are a number of reasons as to why

native fauna is important:

 As indicators of healthy
ecosystems, waterways and
habitats.

 To prevent other animals from

becoming too numerous,
Deep Creek Conservation Park has the
manage vegetation growth,
largest portion of remaining natural
recycle organic matter.
vegetation on the Fleurieu Peninsula and
 Generates economic benefits i.e.
is home to a wide range of native fauna.
tourism and local presence.
The most commonly seen animal in the
 Reminds us of our responsibility
Park are Western Grey Kangaroos, Short-
to conserve and maintain the
beaked Echidnas, Ring-tailed Possums and
natural world.
Yellow-footed Antechinus. Additionally,
there are a number of less common, but
significant animal species such as the Threats to fauna at Deep Creek
Southern Brown Bandicoot, Whales (but While Deep Creek’s ecosystems and the

only during migration season) and many fauna within them can thrive, there a still

different species of bat. Further to this, a number of threats facing the many

Deep Creek is home to upwards of 120 diverse animal species at the park. Habitat

bird species, including Southern Emus, loss, fragmentation and alteration, feral

Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo and animals, illegal hunting and disruptive

Peregrine Falcons. Reptiles are also found human practices (unsustainable tourism,

across Deep Creek, with Skinks, Red- recreation activities, industrial practices)

bellied Black Snakes and Tawny Dragons all contribute to the threat of native
species both locally and globally.
A Closer Look…
Western Grey Kangaroo
The Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus
giganteus) is a large, common kangaroo
and is one of the largest macropods in
Australia. It can weigh between 28 and 54
kg and grow up to 1.3 metres tell. The
species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with
the male growing up to twice the size of a
female. The kangaroo feeds on grass and
other leafy shrubs at night and lives in
groups with up to 15 other kangaroos. It is
hilariously nicknamed ‘stinker’ due to a
distinctive odour produced by the males.
Short-Beaked Echidnas
The Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus
aculeatus) is one of Australia’s most
unusual animals, being an egg laying
mammal closely related to the platypus
(monotremes). The unique species can
grow up to 40cm long and weigh between
2 kg and 7kg. The echidna has no fighting
ability but is able to quickly curl into a ball
and deter predators with its spines.
Furthermore, it has great digging power
and is able to burrow quickly underground
or swim if necessary. The mammal
hibernates throughout the Australian
winter aby slowing down its metabolism
down to save energy.
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
The Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
(Calyptorhynchus funereus) is a large,
mostly black bird with a yellow cheek
patch and yellow panels on the tail. The
cockatoo now mostly relies on Aleppo
Pine seeds for nutrition after the
fragmentation of their preferred habitat,
the Sugar Gum woodlands. Outside of the
breeding season in autumn/winter they
may create flocks of a hundred birds or
more, while family interactions between
pairs or trios are maintained. Similar to
some humans the male yellow-tailed
black cockatoo courts by puffing up crest
and spreading his tail feathers to display
his yellow plumage.
Red-Bellied Black Snake
The venomous snake (Pseudechis
porphyriacus) can grow up to 2 metres
long and has glossy black skin with a
crimson belly. This species is usually
associated with moist habitat, primarily
streams, swamps and lagoons (although
they may also be found well away from
such areas), within forests, woodlands
and grasslands. Red-bellied Black Snakes
feed on a variety of vertebrates including
fish, tadpoles, frogs, lizards, snakes
(including its own species) and mammals.