The most notable mammal present is the endemic Kangaroo Island Kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus), the icon for whom the island was named upon European discovery in 1802. A smaller marsupial present on the island is the Tammar Wallaby (Macropus eugenii). An endemic dasyurid is the Critically Endangered Kangaroo Island Dunnart (Sminthopsis aitkeni), which is found only in the west of the island in Eucalyptus remota/E. cosmophylla open low mallee, E. baxteri low woodland or E. baxteri/E. remota low open woodland. The Common Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is a widespread folivore native to Australia.
Monotremes are also represented on the island. There is also an introduced population of the Duck-billed Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in the western part of the island in Flinders Chase National Park. The Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is also found moderately widespread on Kangaroo Island.
Chiroptera species on Kangaroo Island include the Yellow-bellied Pouched Bat (Saccolaimus flaviventris), which species is rather widespread in Australia and also occurs in Papua New Guinea. Australia's largest molossid, the White-striped Free-tail Bat (Tadarida australis) is found on Kangaroo Island. Another bat found on the island is the Southern Forest Bat (Eptesicus regulus), a species endemic to southern Australia (including Tasmania).
Several anuran species are found on Kangaroo island: Brown Tree Frog (Litoria ewingii), Spotted Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis), Painted Spadefoot Frog (Neobatrachus pictus), Brown Toadlet (Pseudophryne bibroni) and Brown Froglet (Crinia signifera).
The Heath Monitor (Varanus rosenbergi ) is a lizard that grows up to a metre in length, preying on smaller reptiles, juvenile birds and eggs; it is frequently observed on warmer days basking in the sunlight or scavenging on roadkill. The Black Tiger Snake (Notechis ater) is found on Kangaroo Island. Another reptile particularly associated with this locale is the Kangaroo Island Copperhead (Austrelaps labialis).
The Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami) is found on the island, especially in the western part, where its preferred food, fruit of the Drooping Sheoak, is abundant. The Kangaroo Island Emu (Dromaius baudinianus) became extinct during the 1820s from over-hunting and habitat destruction due to burning.
Marine mammals that are observed on the island include the Australian Sea Lion (Neophoca cinerea) and New Zealand Fur Seal (Arctocephalus forsteri), each species of which is native to Kangaroo Island, and abundant at Admiral's Arch as well as at Seal Bay.
Kangaroo Island is not so adversely impacted by alien species grazers as parts of the mainland. No rabbit species are present on the island, and introduced (but escaped) Domestic Goats (Capra hircus) and pigs (Sus scrofa) have generated only minor issues. However, a Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population introduced to the island in the 1920s has caused significant damage to certain woodland communities, especially to Manna Gum trees.
The painted burrowing frog (Neobatrachus pictus) is a species of burrowing frog native to western Victoria, eastern South Australia and southern New South Wales. They are also one of six species of frog which inhabit Kangaroo Island.
The painted burrowing frog is a moderate sized plump frog, reaching 55 mm in length. It is grey to yellow above with brown, olive or green patches. There is sometimes a thin, paler stripe running down the back. The belly is white. The rear toes are partially webbed and the metatarsal tubercles (shovel like structures on the heel of the foot to assist with burrowing) are completely black. The pupil is a vertical slit when contracted, and the iris is silver to gold.
Painted burrowing frogs inhabit waterholes, dams or pools of watercourses in woodland, grassland, and cleared areas. Males make an elongated trilling sound while floating in water after heavy rains, mainly in winter and autumn. Like other Neobatrachus the species is an adapted burrower and will often spend periods of time underground to avoid drought conditions.
Eggs are laid as loosely adherent clumps which may break apart. Tadpoles are large and reach about 78 mm (at about stage 35). Development takes about 4 to 7 months and metamorphs are often observed from September to November.
When threatened, this species will sometimes rear up all its legs, inflating its body to appear larger to discourage some predators.
It is an uncommon species being threatened with habitat loss and is classified as endangered in New South Wales.
It is similar to other species of Neobatrachus, particularly the Sudell's frog (N. sudelli) and the trilling frog (N. centralis), from which it is distinguished by lack of baggy skin around the groin and metatarsal colouring respectively.
The painted burrowing frog (Neobatrachus pictus) is a species of burrowing frog native to western Victoria, eastern South Australia and southern New South Wales. They are also one of six species of frog which inhabit Kangaroo Island.
Neobatrachus pictus[2] es una especie de anfibio anuro de la familia Limnodynastidae.
Esta especie es endémica del sureste de Australia. Habita en el sureste de Australia del Sur, el oeste de Victoria y el extremo suroeste de Nueva Gales del Sur.[3]
Neobatrachus pictus mide hasta 55 mm. Su color varía de gris a amarillo con manchas marrones, oliva o verdes. Su barriga es blanca. A veces usa sus patas traseras para enterrarse en el suelo. Además, en caso de amenaza, acurruca sus piernas y se infla para asustar a los posibles depredadores.
Los renacuajos pueden medir hasta 78 mm y tardar de cuatro a siete meses en metamorfosearse.
Neobatrachus pictus es una especie de anfibio anuro de la familia Limnodynastidae.
Neobatrachus pictus Neobatrachus generoko animalia da. Anfibioen barruko Limnodynastidae familian sailkatuta dago, Anura ordenan.
Neobatrachus pictus Neobatrachus generoko animalia da. Anfibioen barruko Limnodynastidae familian sailkatuta dago, Anura ordenan.
Neobatrachus pictus est une espèce d'amphibiens de la famille des Limnodynastidae[1].
Cette espèce est endémique du Sud-Est de l'Australie. Elle se rencontre dans le sud-est de l'Australie-Méridionale, dans l'ouest du Victoria et dans l’extrême Sud-Ouest de la Nouvelle-Galles du Sud[1].
Neobatrachus pictus mesure jusqu'à 55 mm. Sa coloration varie du gris au jaunâtre avec des taches de couleur brune, olivâtre ou verte. Son ventre est blanc. Il lui arrive d'utiliser ses pattes arrière pour s'enfouir dans le sol. Par ailleurs, en cas de menace, il recroqueville ses pattes et se gonfle afin d'effrayer d'éventuels prédateurs.
Les têtards peuvent mesurer jusqu'à 78 mm et mettent de quatre à sept mois avant de se métamorphoser.
Neobatrachus pictus est une espèce d'amphibiens de la famille des Limnodynastidae.