Endangered animals that live in the Nadgee Reserve
Long-nosed Potoroo
Long Nose Potorro is a species of the rat kangaroo family and contains two subspecies – P. t. tridactylus from Mainland Australia, and P. t. apicalis from Tasmania.
Characteristics – It typically looks like a bandicoot, however, hops away like a kangaroo. Head and body 340-400mm.
Diet – Fungi are the major component of the diet. The Long-nosed Potoroo (SE Mainland) is known to consume vascular plant components including the flower, fruit, seed, leaf, stem, root and bulb. It feeds on both hypogeous and epigeous components of fungal fruit bodies. The Long-nosed Potoroo is also known to feed on invertebrates.
Habitats – The long-nosed potoroo is nocturnal, spending much of its time within the shelter of understorey vegetation.
Endangered – Early farmers viewed the Potoroos as a pest, responsible for raiding gardens and crop fields. Farmers used a variety of methods to resolve the problem including, Baiting and shootings. From 1880–1920 an estimated three million rat-kangaroos were killed for bounties. (Great thinking guys!) This added with feral foxes, cats and dogs have virtually eradicated the beautiful Potoroo from the mainland.
Eastern Pygmy Possum
Although not as endangered as the Long Nose Potoroo, Eastern pygmy possums nevertheless are rare and numbers have been greatly reduced due to European settlement.
Characteristics – the smallest possum and one of the smallest marsupials. Body 70 mm – 110 mm, Body weight 15 g – 43 g. Looks like a mouse, however, has a rounded head and very large eyes. Long whiskers.
Diet – The Eastern Pygmy Possum feeds on nectar and pollen from eucalypts, banksias, and bottlebrushes, supplemented by insects and fruit.
Habitats – from southern Queensland to eastern South Australia and also Tasmania,[1] it is found in a range of habitats, including rainforest, sclerophyll forest, woodland and heath.
Endangered – Despite this apparent diversity of habitats, their distribution is patchy, and they are usually low in number where they are found. Like most native animals, farmlands and feral introduced animals have led to a massive reduction in numbers. Recent conservation efforts have liked to an increase in numbers and are not listed as endangered by Victoria and NSW.
Eastern Ground Parrot
One of Australia’s rarest birds, and is one of only five ground-dwelling parrots in the world.
Characteristics – Up to 30 cm long. Plumage grass green, each feather with black and yellow markings; narrow orange-red band to forehead; head, nape, upper back and breast green.
Diet – Feed on the ground, eating seeds of sedges, grasses, herbaceous plants and shrubs.
Habitats – In scattered populations from south-east Queensland along the east coast to northern Victoria. They live in marshy coastal plain without trees, reed beds with low bushes, restricted to button grass areas; species may depend on naturally occurring fires allowing new growth and renewed settlement by the ground parrot.
Endangered – Introduction of feral animals has led to a reduction in numbers. An increase in farmlands which have led to less natural fires has also had an impact. The species is listed as vulnerable in NSW
Eastern Bristlebird
Small, however, are easily recognised by their loud, melodic song and a harsh, sharp alarm-call. This bristlebird species are highly endangered and the Nadgee reserve is one of the last habitats for the species. The species is a ground-dwelling, semi-flightless bird
Characteristics – are medium-sized, long-tailed, brown and rufous birds. The tail is approx half the bird’s total length of 21 cm and may appear to be distinctively frayed. The wings are very short and rounded.
Diet – Feed on the ground, eating seeds of sedges, grasses, herbaceous plants and shrubs.
Habitats – The Eastern bristlebird lives in dense, low vegetation, particularly health, but also in surrounding woodlands. Nadgee National park is one of the last remaining areas. The estimated population size is less than 2000 individuals occupying a total area of about 120 sq km.
Endangered – Extensive fire is the main threat to the southern population. Fire removes dense understorey vegetation, which is the species’ preferred habitat. Habitat is also degraded by feral pigs and domestic livestock. Other threats to the species include overgrazing, invasion of habitat by exotic weeds and predation by foxes
Beaches along the Nadgee Reserve – Other National Parks on the Sapphire Coast – Free Camping on the Sapphire Coast