Deep Creek Micro Tutorial.

Five Animals
In Deep Creek Conservation Park there is an array of wildlife. There are the
huge Western Grey Kangaroos through to the tiny skinks bugs and insect
populations. Western Grey Kangaroos, Short-beaked Echidnas, Ring-tailed
Possums and Yellow-footed Antechinus (Mardo a shrew like marsupial.) are
some of the most commonly seen animals. Other mammals, which are rarely
seen but are of greater conservation significance, include the Southern Brown
Bandicoot and several bat species.
Several species of skink make up the most abundant reptiles found in Deep
Creek Conservation Park. Other species often seen are Sleepy Lizards, Redbellied Black Snakes, Marbled Geckoes and Tawny Dragons. Healthy and
diverse populations of amphibians and native fish also occur in the Park.
Below is a brief summary of 5 animals seen within the park.
The Western Grey Kangaroos are distinguished
from other kangaroos because they have a
finely haired muzzle. They have light to darkbrown fur. Paws, feet and tail tips vary in colour
from brown to black. The Western Grey
Kangaroos tail is 42100 cm long. Kangaroos
live in forests and grass lands. Currently there
are no problems with the population and are
considered of least concern when looking at conservation. Western Grey
Kangaroos are herbivores and eat grasses and some shrubs.
Short Beaked Echidnas as some of the oldest
surviving mammals on the planet today. The
echidna has spines that cover its head, back
and tail with only a covering of fur on its ventral
surface. The spines are generally strawcoloured with black tips, and are both strong
and sharp. The only purpose of these spines is
for defense. The short-beaked echidna is
classed as a myrmecophage (ant and termite specialist); however, they will
also eat larvae of other invertebrates such as the Scarab beetle, as well as
other adult beetles and earthworms. The echidnas mouth only opens around
5mm so this limited the size of the prey they can consume. The tongue has
sticky saliva and can dart out up to 18cm to help catch prey.
Ring-tailed Possums get their name from their
long, tapering tail. The last third of their tail is
white. It is prehensile, meaning it can grip like
another hand. This possum can grip branches
with its tail and even carry nesting material with
it. They are usually grey-brown in colour with
red flanks, white under parts and white spots
behind its ears. Possums are herbivores and
feed on eucalypt, marri and peppermint tree
leaves, buds, blossoms and soft fruit.

The Yellow Footed Antechinus is also known as

a Mardo. It is a small shrew like marsupial,
sometimes likened to mice. Body fur changes
from grey on the head and shoulders, to
yellowish-brown to reddish-orange on the rest
of the body. They have a narrow ring of pale fur
around the eye. Yellow-footed Antechinus are
more active in the day than most related
species. They forage on the ground and in trees, moving about with jerky
movements. They mate during a two-week period in August, after which the
males die from stress. While they are endangered they are of least concern in
Deep Creek Conservation Park. Yellow-footed Antechinus are carnivorous
eating mainly insects.
The Southern Brown Bandicoot is a mediumsized robust and compact marsupial with small,
round ears and a short, pointed snout. The
Bandicoot has short, spiny brown and straw
coloured hairs cover the head and back
resulting in the coat having a grizzled brown
appearance while its underside is creamy white.
Of the eight species of bandicoot, it is the only
remaining. Due to this, the bandicoots are of great conservation significance
throughout the Deep Creek conservation park. Bandicoots are omnivorous
eating a variety of invertebrates, small vertebrate, plants and fungi as well as
various fruits and seeds.

Reference List:
Australian National Parks (2015). Deep Creek Conservation Park. Retrieved
on 19th September 2015 from:
http://www.australiannationalparks.com/southaustralia/deepcreek/default.htm#
sthash.t4nXVsil.dpuf
Department for Environment and Heritage (2008). Adelaide and Mount Lofty
Ranges South Australia. Threatened Species Profile. Southern Brown
Bandicoot [fact sheet]. Retrieved 20th September 2015 from
www.environment.sa.gov.au/.../pa-fact- southernbrownbandicoot.pdf
Government of Western Australia (2012). Perth Zoo. Western Grey Kangaroo
[fact sheet]. Retrieved 20th September 2015 from:
http://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/animals-plants/australia/australianbushwalk/western-grey-kangaroo/
Wild care Australia (2013). Echidnas [fact sheet]. Retrieved 20 th September
2015 from: http://wildcare.org.au/species-information/echidnas/
Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife (n.d.) Possums in your roof!
Retrieved 20th September 2015 from:
http://www.fnpw.org.au/resources/possum-in-the-roof
Atlas of living Australia (n.d.) Antechinus flavipes Yellow-footed Antechinus.
Retrieved 20th September 2015 from:
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Antechinus+flavipes

Animal Photographs:
Biodiversitysnapshots.net.au, (2015). Short Beaked Echidna. [online]
Available at: http://www.biodiversitysnapshots.net.au [Accessed 20 Sep.
2015].
Wanderlustimages.com, (2015). Western Grey Kangaroo. [online] Available
at: http://www.wanderlustimages.com [Accessed 20 Sep. 2015].
Wallpaperphotohd.com, (2015). Ring Tailed Possum. [online] Available at:
http://www.wallpaperphotohd.com [Accessed 20 Sep. 2015].
Park, G. (2015). Yellow Footed Antechinus. [online] Natural Newstead.
Available at: http://www.geoffpark.wordpress.com [Accessed 20 Sep. 2015].
Ppwcma.vic.gov.au, (2015). Southern Brown Bandicoot. [online] Available at:
http://www.ppwcma.vic.gov.au [Accessed 20 Sep. 2015].