Wildlife of Australia, China, and India

Study Notes

Giant Clam: The largest clam, averaging about four feet in size. They can live over 100 years.
Kangaroo: Unique to Australia. Hops on two legs. Early explorers described them as having a deer-like head, frog-like hops, and a human-like upright stance.
Koala: Not bears, herbivores, and eat only plants. Baby koalas are called joeys. They are born bald, blind, and earless. They live in their mother's pouch for six months.
Saltwater Crocodile: Known as "salties," these crocodiles can grow to 28 feet. They primarily eat smaller birds, animals, and fish, but may sometimes eat larger mammals like kangaroos.

Golden Monkey: Lives high up in the mountains. Groups can be up to 600 monkeys large. Defends its territory using screams and shouts.
Panda Bear: There are fewer than 3,000 pandas left. They eat bamboo. They have slit pupils similar to cats.

Bengal Tiger: There are fewer than 200 left in the wild. They weigh about 500 pounds.
Cow: Sacred in Hinduism. Cows roam freely, sometimes even blocking traffic in cities. Cow dung is used as fuel.
Elephant: The Indian elephant is the largest land animal in Asia, smaller than its African cousin. Trained to work for as long as 4000 years. Ganesh, a popular Indian god, is depicted as having an elephant head.
Bird of Paradise: Famous for colorful feathers. Males dance for females. Primarily eat fruit.
Komodo Dragon: A large lizard. Bask in the sun during the day and sleep in burrows at night. Young Komodo dragons live in trees.
Orangutan: A primate meaning "person of the forest". These apes use tools to find food.
Sun Bear: Smallest bear. Lives in sunny climates, so doesn't hibernate.

Asiatic Cheetah: Fastest animal (75 mph). Fewer than 100 left. Found in the Iranian desert.
Iranian Horse: Prized throughout the world, race horses. Ancient legend attributes their creation to four winds.
Persian Ibex: A goat that climbs trees to eat. Known as 'pasang,' or 'rock-footed.'