by Peter Klein
EASTERN BLUE TONGUE - Tiliqua scicoides scincoides: The blue tongue lizard is Captain Pete’s favourite lizard. They are brave and cheeky little characters who use bluff to frighten away larger predators with their enormous ‘hiss’ and by opening their mouth to reveal a scary, inky-blue tongue. They can live very happily in your backyard; although they might steal the odd chook egg or two! If you’re lucky enough to find one living in your garden, show it respect and it’ll return the favour by eating some of the slugs and snails that eat your plants.
EUROPEAN RABBIT – Oryctolagus cuniculus: In 1859 the European rabbit was released into the bush in Australia. These cute little furry animals have caused some enormous problems. They are capable of destroying native plant species, reducing the food supply for smaller native animals, causing major soil erosion and allowing the invasion of bushland weeds. In many areas, eagles and inland carpet pythons feed on the European rabbit.
HEEL AND TOE POLKA - This is often the first dance of the night at any Aussie bush dance. It’s easy and great fun and you get to dance with everyone! The actual tune Captain Pete and Liz played is really known as the Brown Jug Polka. It’s usually played in the key of D, which sounds much nicer than B-Flat (unless you’re a rabbit)!
INLAND CARPET PYTHON (Murray- Darling carpet python) – Morelia spilota ssp. Metcalfei: The inland carpet python is common along the east coast and the northern tropical parts of Australia. It is scarce in the inland parts of south eastern Australia due to: the loss of its habitat, such as large trees with hollows and hollow logs; fewer native animals to eat and poaching by smugglers. It is important to help protect pythons, because they play an important part in controlling the introduced European rabbit, black rat and the house mouse. Any sightings in Victoria can be reported to the Department of Sustainability and Environment, or submitted to the Atlas of Living Australia.
Ref: (Michael D, Lindenmayer D, Reptiles of the NSW Catchment: A Guide to Their Identification, Ecology and Conservation.)
LACE MONITOR TREE GOANNA – Varanus varius: Tree goannas love to live in hollow trees, logs and rabbit burrows. It is the second largest lizard in Australia and the fourth largest monitor lizard in the world. They eat spiders, mice, rats, birds, eggs (especially chook eggs) and rabbits!
LITTLE EAGLE – Hieraaetus morphnoides: Little eagles are recognised by their large head and legs, and short tails. They’ve been seen cheekily riding the thermals and enjoying the views of the Bethanga hills, whilst hunting their preferred food; rabbits!
SILVER GULL – Larus novaehollandiae: Sammy the silver gull is more commonly known as a sea gull. They usually have a sharp shrill ‘kwee-aarr’ call, except for the amazing Sammy, who can now speak all animal languages (even human) after making a wish on the ‘Magic Tree Stump’, but that’s another story…
WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE– Aquila audax: The magnificent wedge-tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey. They are sometimes seen soaring high above the picturesque hills of Bethanga with their powerful, fingered wings and wedge shaped tails. They prefer to hunt rabbits, but will also hunt other animals such as reptiles, wallabies and young kangaroos.
Pssssst! You’ll find yummy recipes, puzzles (and much, much more), right here:
www.mudpoo.com.au
