Animals

These birds form monogamous pairs which remain together for the year. Both sexes build a nest on a high tree, bridge or power pole. Breeding season is usually from April to December or whenever prey is abundant. Clutch size is 2-4. The female incubates the eggs for 30-34 days and the young leave the parents after a month.

Usually feed at night. Hides under stones, moist ground litter and in the soil during the day. This pest species of crops can burrow into soil and often damages the roots and lower stems of plants. Eggs are laid in tunnels made below the soil surface. Clutch size may be as few as 16. The eggs incubate for about 25 days. The hatchling slugs mature within 4-5 months.

Forms isolated pairs for life. Both adults raise one brood per season. Breeds anytime of the year with ample rainfall. Breeding season is usually early-mid winter in southern Australia. Forms untidy nests of reeds and grasses on small islands or floating in deep water. Clutch size is usually 5 or 6 eggs but can lay up to 10 eggs. Incubation time is 35-45 days.

Black Rats are good climbers, scaling buildings and trees. They eat a range of food types and are considered pests.

The female spider stays in her web, never leaving it and always repairing it (so old webs can look grey and woolly due to the added silk). Several white silk egg sacs are held within her web for protection. When the spiderlings hatch they disperse. The spiders mature during summer and live for about two years.

Feeds at night, using mimicry to capture its prey. It hangs from the edge of a leaf or twig on a short silk thread, with its forelegs stretched out. It releases a chemical scent (pheromone) that mimics the scent released by female moths to attract their mates. If male moths attracted by the spider's mimicking scent flutter close enough they are grabbed by the spider's strong front legs. The egg sacs are marbled brown coloured balls, about 12-14 mm wide, each holding more than 200 eggs. Up to 13 sacs are joined together in a group.

Breeding season: after heavy summer rains. Females lay 20-200 pigmented eggs in loose clumps in small depressions in the soil. The eggs are often coated in soil or mud. Males guard the eggs. A ground dwelling species which tends to walk rather than hop.

Nocturnal. Builds a silky retreat under bark for moulting and laying eggs. The egg sac is a flattish silken capsule which is aggressively guarded by the female.

Forms monogamous breeding pairs that stay together all year round. Nests in tree hollows above or near water. Breeding season is from September through to November. Between 8 and 10 eggs are laid and incubation time is 28 days. Both parents feed the young. The young leave the nest after 57 days.

Breeding season is between June and November in southern Australia. This species breeds in large colonies alongside herons, egrets and spoonbills. Rough, loose platforms are built in trees standing in water. Two to five eggs are produced and incubated by both sexes. Incubation time is 20-23 days. One or two broods may be raised each year.