Animal Diaries Archive

New Recruit

18 April 2008

A big hello to our regular readers and a warm welcome to our new ones! My name is Beth and I am new to Australia Zoo’s FANTASTIC mammals team!

I started working at the zoo in November 2007. After a short time in the Koala department, I was recruited to Mammals. Prior to working at Australia Zoo, I spent many years working with Koalas at another zoological institution. When I had the opportunity to work with them again I was very excited.

Since working in the Mammals department, I have had the opportunity to learn about many new animals. These include Southern Hairy Nosed and Common Wombats, Red and Grey Kangaroos as well as many varieties of wallabies. Most recently however I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work with Platypus and Echidna! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be lucky enough to be interacting with all of these spectacular animals. I still love my Koalas but it is very exciting to be learning something new. In saying that, I have decided to share with you all a few things that I have learnt!

Did you know?

• Wombats can run, in short spurts, up to 40kmph!
• Wombats have teeth that continually grow so they chew on logs, tree roots etc to wear them down!
• A female red kangaroo was also called a Blue Flyer!
• Male Platypus have venomous spurs on their back feet!
• An Echidnas tongue can extend to approximately 18cm!

There are just a few small facts about some of our wonderful mammals. Next time you are in the zoo, come and find one of our fantastic team members and ask us as many questions as you like and remember that ALL animals rule here at Australia Zoo!