Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies, Adelaide Zoo
Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, Adelaide Zoo
Possibly the most colourful member of the marsupials in Australia is the Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, shown in the pictures on this post. These photos were taken at the Adelaide Zoo, which also has a good collection of them at the Monarto section of the zoo.
These beautiful animals are primarily found in the northern parts of South Australia, especially in parts of the Flinders Ranges. It is also present in small numbers in far western NSW. Although I do not have a photo of one in their natural habitat, I remember seeing several of them many years ago just north of Quorn. They are amazing animals with their ability to scale rocky outcrops with ease.
The Adelaide Zoo website has more information on this species here.
Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, Adelaide Zoo
Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, Adelaide Zoo
Oriental small-clawed otters in the Adelaide Zoo
Oriental small-clawed otter, Adelaide Zoo
On several recent visits to Adelaide Zoo I haven’t been able to get a good photo of these otters. They’ve either been sleeping somewhere in their enclosure and out of view, or they’ve been cavorting around in their pool. Either way it has made photography difficult. You get that with nature photography.
The above shot is not ideal, what with their backs to my camera, but they were fast asleep and not moving anywhere in a hurry, so I have to be happy with this photo until my next visit. Hopefully I will get a better shot someday.
I must admit that I don’t know a great deal about otters, and this species in particular. That’s why the information boards such as the one below are so important in the education of the general public visiting zoos (click on the image to enlarge). I’ve also discovered that this is the smallest otter species in the world.
They eat a variety of mussels, snails, crabs and fish; that’s quite an interesting diet.
For more information about the oriental small-clawed otters, go to the Adelaide Zoo website here.
Oriental small-clawed otter, Adelaide Zoo
Hippopotamus at the Adelaide Zoo
Hippopotamus, Adelaide Zoo
I love going to the Adelaide Zoo. It’s only about an hour’s drive from home and being a Life Member I can go any time I have an hour or two free when I am in the city. On one visit last year I managed several good photos of the hippopotamus.On other occasions this animal hasn’t been easy to photograph, especially when it stays under water for an extended period of time.
Hippopotamus, Adelaide Zoo
Hippopotamus, Adelaide Zoo
Fishing Cat, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Fishing Cat, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Until my visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney last year, I didn’t know that the Fishing Cat existed. It is native to south east Asian countries. Its preferred habitat includes wetlands, rivers, creeks and swamps. It has slightly webbed feet which enable it to be an excellent swimmer. This helps it to catch fish and birds.
In its range it is endangered because its habitat is being used for farming and fishing.
It is quite a bit larger than a domestic cat.
Fishing Cat, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Baby elephant, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Elephants, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
The elephants on display at Taronga Zoo in Sydney are a major attraction, especially with the birth of the baby shown in these photos. The elephants are enjoying their new quarters opened only a year or so ago. This enclosure is much more spacious and elephant friendly than the old quarters and they obviously enjoy showing off to their admiring audience. One of the benefits of this new enclosure is the excellent viewing areas for the public. Large numbers of people can all view the animals simultaneously.
I remember fondly my earliest encounter with an elephant was in my home state capital city of Adelaide. When I was a child the Adelaide Zoo had several elephants and children were able to ride on them around the zoo. This no longer happens today, so I had to travel to Thailand and Nepal to have a ride on one of these wonderful creatures.
Further reading:
- Adelaide Zoo – archived articles of visits to Adelaide Zoo, South Australia
- Taronga Zoo – articles about my visits to Taronga Zoo, Sydney
- My travels in Nepal
- My travels in Thailand
- Elephants
Elephants, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Elephants, Taronga Zoo, Sydney