The Ultimate Resource Page on Australian Marsupials

 

Marsupials are one of the three major types of mammals based on how they birth and rear their young. They are named for the female’s marsupium; the pouch in which she carries her young. Marsupials, much like placental mammals, give birth to live young, unlike monotremes who lay eggs. However, marsupials have a much shorter gestational period than their placental counterparts do do. The mother’s pouch serves as an incubator after the baby is born, allowing them to continue to grow and develop.

 

 

The most commonly known species of marsupials are the possum, koala, and kangaroo, although there are over 270 known species, including wombats, bilbies, and the Tasmanian Devil, to name a few. Marsupials are primarily indigenous to Australia and South America, with Australia being home to over 120 of these species, holding the title to the highest number of marsupial species in residence on the planet. New Guinea comes in second with over 50 species. North America hosts only one species. There are both herbivores and carnivores in the marsupial family, and Australia has many native examples of both.

The following links provide more in-depth information on marsupials in general, as well as information on specific species and families within the marsupial class. 

Marsupial Information

• Marsupial History 101. A link briefly describing the evolution of marsupials and where they originate.

• Prenatal Marsupials. A link covering pre- and post-natal marsupial young.

• Critter Catalog. A link covering basic examples of marsupials

• Marsupials in Cyber Space. Links to numerous pages on individual marsupial species.

• All About Pouched Animals. Brief overview of marsupials with a short list of common species

• Ferris State University. Facts about marsupials.

• Aussie Info. Australian mammals, primarily marsupials.

• The Flying Kiwi. Large color photos with descriptions of common Australian marsupials

• National Aquarium of Baltimore. PDF document with overview of marsupials in Australia.

• Australian Wildlife. Real life experience with marsupials, including photos.

• USDA Information. Listing of USDA pdf documents and articles on various forms of marsupials

• Marsupial Family Species. Briefing on the taxonomy and scientific classification of marsupials.

• Marsupials by Solar Navigator. Overview of general marsupial information including history and taxonomy.

• Australian Marsupials. When did marsupials evolve from only herbivores to herbivores and carnivorous mammals?

Koala Family

• Powerpoint Koalas. PowerPoint presentations on Koalas

• Koala History. A link discussion the history of Koalas from fossil to present, including how they got their name.

• Stanford Koalas. Stanford fact sheet including basic overview information on Koalas.

• Sea World Animal Bytes, Koala. Facts about Koalas from SeaWorld, Busch Gardens.

• Koala Facts from ThinkQuest. Basic facts about Koalas, including eating habits and Koala joeys.

• Koala.org. Information on classifications, descriptions and history of Koalas.

• The Koala. Color photos and brief overview of Koalas.

Wombat Family

• Wonderful Wombats. A link explaining the differences between the three different types of wombats.

• World Wide Wombat. Comprehensive overview with list of links to wombat articles and pictures.

• Benedictine University Wombats. Facts about the wombat including taxonomy and class information.

• Animal Corner. Link to information on the reproduction, behavioral, and other habits of the wombat.

• The San Diego Zoo. The San Diego Zoo provides information on wombats.

• The Faunal Emblem of the Government of South Australia. A link to scientific information on the Hairy-Nosed Wombat for teens.

• BBC Science and Nature – the common wombat. BBC link to wombat basics.

Kangaroos and Relatives

• Animal Diversity. Information on the Red Kangaroo, the largest marsupial species.

• The Smithsonian Zoogoer. Comprehensive article on the Tree Kangaroo with audio.

• Answers Magazine – Australia’s Amazing Kangaroos. Australia’s kangaroos; their births, fertility cycles, and life spans.

• BioWeb, the Red Kangaroo. Link with detailed information on the nutrition and adaption of the kangaroo.

• Davdison College. Overview of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo.

• Kids Planet. Informative article including facts about kangaroos’ status and population counts.

Possums and Gliders

• Sugar Gliders. A link with information about sugar gliders, including anatomy and husbandry.

• Purdue University Extension. Is there a difference in possums and opossums?

• Africa and Australia’s Animals. Brief information and photos of marsupials, including the Golden Possum of Tasmania and Sugar Gliders.

• Opossum Facts. Brief fact sheet listing possum facts.

• Discover Life. Information database with links to taxonomy on Gliders and other marsupials

Carnivorous Marsupials

• A Checklist of Australian Marsupials: Species of marsupials organized by carnivorous and herbivorus animals
  

• Tasmanian Devil: Basic information on this meat eating marsupial

• Mammals: Tasmanian Devil: A comprehnesive guide to Tasmanian Devils by the San Diego zoo

• Carnivorous Marsupials: A listing of species of marsupials that are carnivores.

Numbats

• The Australian Numbat. What is a Numbat?

• Save Australia’s Numbats. Link to a non-profit organization working to save Numbats, provides useful information on Numbat habitats and habits.

• Australian Fauna. Informative guide to Numbats, including interesting trivia facts.

• Animal Info. Facts and figures concerning Numbats status as an endangered animal.

• Numbats at the Perth Zoo. Perth Zoo Numbat exhibit link listing scientific classification information, diet, habitat, and husbandry.

Bandicoots and Bilbies

• Order Peramelemorphia: A listing of the different species in the bandicoots and bilbies order.

• The Greater Bilby: An informational page about the macrotis lagotis, also known as the bilby.

• Bandicoots: A page about bandicoots, detailing phycial traits, habitat, diet, and other characteristics.

• Gale Learning. The desert bandicoot information, including family, status, general description, and reproductive information.

Marsupial Mole

• Wildlife Journal Junior. Introduction to the Marsupial Mole.

• Marsupial Moles. Link includes basic information, along with photos of marsupial moles.

• Threatened Marsupials. Australian government fact sheet on marsupial moles

• Edge of Existence. Brief description including mapping information on where to find marsupial moles.

• The Website of Everything. Details on marsupials moles including photos, family, order, litter size, and terminology

Marsupial Educational Resources

• Marsupial Lesson Plan Grades 2 and 3. Lesson plan designed for grade school children using library resources.

• Lesson Planet. 86 Lesson plans for teachers on koalas and other marsupials, can be sorted by grade level. 

• Australian Animals, Lesson Plans Grades 4-12. Lesson plan including Australian Animals and Biomes, covering marsupials and other common Australian animals.

• 42 Explore Marsupial Webquest. General marsupial webquest.

• Teacher’s Domain. Downloadable PDF lesson plan for teachers 9-12 grade on the convergence of marsupials and placental mammals.

• Teacher WebQuest. Webquest on mammals for elementary students, includes a section on marsupials with instructions for creating class posters.

• Australian Animals Webquest. Webquest on Australian marsupials for 5-8^th grade.

• Kennesaw State University. Webquest on Australia, including Australian animals and marsupials, designed by Kennesaw State University for elementary to middle school grades.

• Harrison Public Schools Kangaroo Webquest. Webquest on kangaroos for 2^nd graders.

• Math and Marsupials. Lesson plan for incorporating math and marsupials in one lesson for 1^st and 2^nd graders

 

Our sponsors:

College Study Abroad