BETA
Chapter 1
The crimson geology of the desert
Chapter 2
Ancient wisdom and Songlines
Chapter 3
Bizarre beasts of the red dust
Chapter 4
Modern survivors and massive stations
Ch 3 · Bizarre beasts of the red dust
matilda Track hidden outback creatures to discover how Australia's red dust beasties survive the harsh desert.
matilda Microscopic groove channels between the scales of Moloch horridus draw moisture up its legs via capillary action in sandy deserts.
Quiz
What is the primary food source of the thorny devil lizard in the Australian Outback?
Quiz
How does the Australian thorny devil lizard drink water in its dry desert habitat?
matilda Embryonic diapause allows Australian kangaroos to delay birth during extreme food shortages
Quiz
How far can a red kangaroo jump in a single leap to travel across the vast Outback?
Quiz
What is the scientific term for a kangaroo's ability to temporarily pause the development of an embryo?
Fun Fact
Water skin: If a thorny devil is placed on damp sand, it can draw enough moisture through its feet to fill its entire skin capillary system within five minutes.
Quiz
How does the perentie lizard protect itself from the extreme heat of the Outback midday sun?
Quiz
What is the name of Australia's largest monitor lizard, which can grow up to 2.5 meters long?
Glossary
thorny devil (noun)
A small, spiny Australian lizard that feeds primarily on ants and can absorb water through its skin. This lizard survives in Australia's Red Centre by channeling moisture from wet sand directly to its mouth.
A small, spiny Australian lizard that feeds primarily on ants and can absorb water through its skin. This lizard survives in Australia's Red Centre by channeling moisture from wet sand directly to its mouth.
matilda Wild Outback Budgerigar Swarms
Green clouds of budgies spinning in the sun! (Hear them hum!) A hundred thousand wild birds flying as one! (Here they come!)
Quiz
How do wild budgerigar flocks locate water sources across hundreds of miles of dry desert?