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The wildlife of Kangaroo Island, and when to see it.

KANGAROO ISLAND
Because of its isolation KI (Surprisingly large, the island is 100 miles long and 35 miles wide at the widest point) is free from feral pests (foxes and rabbits), and consequently the island is truly teeming with wildlife.

Much of the wildlife has been undisturbed since the island ‘left’ the mainland 10,000 years ago, and the process of evolution has created some island subspecies. Koalas (actually an introduced species, as 18 were brought here back in the 1920’s), have bred so well that measures now have to be taken to control the population), kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, goannas, platypus, snakes, bats, sea lions, whales, sharks, penguins and a population of about 6,000 New Zealand fur seals, (best seen at Cape du Couedic) all thrive and are relatively common.

BIRDS
Some 250 species are found here ranging from the Emu, Yellow-tailed Black cockatoo, White-bellied sea eagle, pelican, Straw-necked Ibis, to such gorgeous birds as the Superb Fairy-wren, White-eared Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird and rainbow lorikeet. Altogether 8 varieties of albatross, 38 other sea birds, 13 herons, ibis and spoonbills, 12 cockatoos and parrots, and 24 raptors can be seen.

KOALAS
Koalas can be seen frequently in the wild on Kangaroo Island, perched high in the branches of gum trees. They spend most of their day sleeping and wake around dusk to start feeding.

PENGUINS
Near the pretty coastal town of Penneshaw (on Kangaroo island) and on Granite Island off Victor Harbour on the Fleurieu Peninsula, it is possible to see hundreds of Little penguins (sometimes called Blue, Little blue and Fairy penguins) making their way home as night falls after a hard day's fishing. They can be seen all year round where their burrows are located in the rock faces.

KANGAROOS
Kangaroos are common throughout South Australia especially in the Mount Lofty and Flinders Ranges. Kangaroo Island has its own unique kangaroo, a smaller, long-haired, darker coloured sub-species of the western grey kangaroo that can be found on the mainland.

ECHIDNAS
Also known as spiny anteaters, echidnas are common on Kangaroo Island. With sharp spiny quills and a sticky tongue, they are more likely to be spotted during the winter months usually searching and digging for ants and termites.

WALLABIES
Tammar wallabies were once extinct on the mainland, though have now been re-introduced from a 'rump' population found on an island of New Zealand (where they were taken by an Australian and are now considered a pest). However on Kangaroo Island they have always been numerous, and were once considered vermin! The smallest of the wallaby family, Tammar wallabies are seen predominantly at dawn and dusk.

LEAFY SEA DRAGONS
The South Australian state marine emblem is the delicate leafy sea dragon which inhabits the waters off the southern coast of Kangaroo Island and Fleurieu Peninsula and can be spotted there all year round. With a body shaped like a sea horse covered with leaf-like membranes, this rare creature reaches maturity at two years of age, when the males care for the young in a pouch.

WHEN TO GO
December - February
• Kangaroos and tammar wallabies are seen predominantly at dawn and dusk.
• Little penguins moult all their feathers at the end of the breeding season and can lose up to half their body weight.
• New Zealand fur seals give birth to chocolate-brown pups.
• The Australian sea-lion breeding season begins with pups born from January to June.
• Heath goannas lay 10-17 eggs in the warm, stable, humid atmosphere of termite mounds, the perfect incubator.
• Koalas, wallabies and kangaroos give birth to tiny young, which are naked and blind.

March - May
• Glossy black cockatoos and little penguins begin nesting.
• Black swans begin their courtship behaviour of wing-raising, neck-stretching and loud trumpeting.
• Fungi start to appear on damp ground and rotting wood.

June - August
Winter is spectacular with lush green countryside, flowing rivers and abundant wildlife - Kangaroo Island at its most appealing. Land mammals, predominantly night, dawn and dusk feeders for most of the year, frequently come out by day during this season.
• Koalas emerge from the mother’s pouch and begin to ride on her back. Visit Flinders Chase National Park for sightings.
• Kangaroo and wallaby joeys start to emerge from the mother’s pouch and feed by her side.
• Echidnas form ‘mating trains’ where up to eight males will follow a female for around four weeks.
• Waders, on their migration from Siberia, begin to arrive.
• Ospreys show off to their mates in spectacular courtship fights.
• Southern right whales pass the shores on their migration from Antarctic waters to the Great Australian Bight to calve.

September - November
Spring is the season of rebirth. It is a wonderful time to see the spectacular array of wildflowers, birds and mammals.
• Wildflowers are in abundance. There are approximately 40 endemic floral species found on Kangaroo Island.
• Eucalyptus oil is in peak production. One tonne of leaf can produce up to 30 litres of oil.
• Cape Barren geese nest on top of the native iris grasses to incubate their eggs.
• Platypuses lay two eggs in a burrow up to 20 metres long.

These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.