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Animal Profiles
Dingo
The howling chorus of the Dingo is one of the most chilling and evocative sounds that may be encountered in the Australian bush. The Dingo is a relative newcomer to the Australian landscape, believed to be a descendant of the Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes).
Find out moreElephant
The Asian Elephant is the largest of Asia's many animal species. They can grow to a height of 3.5m and may weigh up to 5,000kg. Newborn elephants weigh only 100kg. Despite being 25mm thick the elephant's skin is sensitive to heat and parasites and requires regular bathing and coating in soil, mud or dust.
Find out moreGiraffe
The scientific name, Giraffa camelopardalis, is from the Romans, who thought the giraffe was a hybrid of the camel and the leopard. The tallest of all living creatures, the giraffe is perfectly adapted to feeding from the tops of trees in the African savannah. Poaching and interbreeding are the biggest threats to the long-term survival of the giraffe.
Find out moreGorilla
Western Lowland Gorillas live in tropical forests on the west coast of Africa. The size of their territory depends on the availability of food and the size of the group, which can be as large as 30 animals.
Find out moreHippopotamus
The word ‘hippopotamus’ is Greek for ‘river horse’. These large African animals spend most of their time in or near large pools of water and can weigh up to 3 tonnes. This is equivalent to 3 small cars! The hippopotamus is under threat from habitat loss and exploitation from poachers and Zoos Victoria is actively involved in Education and breeding programs to support this amazing species.
Find out moreKoala
The Koala is found in eucalypt forests from southeast Queensland to southeast South Australia. Their diet is almost entirely leaves from eucalyptus trees. An adult eats up to 500gms of leaves a day. Eucalyptus leaves are toxic to most animals. A koala has a large caecum in its digestive system to deal with this. Koalas rarely drink water as their food provides adequate moisture.
Find out moreLion
Often called ‘King of the Jungle’, the Lion in fact is not a jungle dweller, but lives on savannahs, of eastern and southern Africa. These large carnivores are efficient predators, hunting in groups to bring down animals as large as buffalo. A male lions roar cab be heard 8km away and is a warning to all that this is his territory.
Find out moreMeerkat
The meerkat is not a cat, nor is it related to the prairie dog. It is a member of the civet family, which includes the otter and mongoose. Their close-knit social structure and teamwork is the key to their survival strategy.
Find out moreOrang-utan
Orang-utans were once widespread throughout Asia, but now inhabit only the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. The word 'Orang-utan' translates to 'People of the forest' because of their close similarities with humans.
Find out morePlatypus
The Platypus is one of only three monotremes, or egg-laying mammals, in the world. With a duck bill, beaver-like tail, no teeth, and venomous spur this truly unique Australian was thought to be hoax when first discovered by Europeans.
Find out moreRed Kangaroo
Red Kangaroos are the largest marsupials existing today. Males stand nearly 2.2m tall and weigh around 66kg, while females average 26.5kg.
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Males are called ‘boomers’, females ‘blue flyers’ and young are called joeys. They live in a group or mob consisting of a dominant male, several adult females and a number of juveniles. Mobs can vary in size from less than 10 individuals to several hundred.Rhinoceros
The Southern White Rhinoceros is a ‘gentle giant’ being the calmest of the 5 rhino species. Living mainly in South Africa it is under threat from poaching, as many locals believe its body parts have medicinal properties. By not buying animal products when travelling in Africa you can help many threatened species including the Southern White Rhinoceros.
Find out moreTasmanian Devil
Tasmanian Devils are the largest surviving marsupial carnivores. They are the size of a small dog, and look and sound very ferocious. Early European settlers named them ‘Devils’ due to their spine-chilling screeches, black colour and fierce reputation.
Find out moreSumatran Tiger
Found exclusively on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, these are the smallest of the remaining 5 tiger sub-species. Habitat loss and poaching have reduced their numbers in the wild to only around 240 individuals. Our 4 tigers at Melbourne Zoo are vitally important to the international captive breeding program.
Find out moreTree Kangaroo
The Goodfellow’s Tree-Kangaroo is one of eight recognised species of tree kangaroo found in New Guinea. There are also two species found in north-eastern Queensland, Australia. The Goodfellow’s Tree-Kangaroo has three subspecies and of them, D.goodfellowi buergersi is the subspecies currently held and bred in captivity at Melbourne Zoo.
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