Why does australia have so many marsupials

Saltwater or Estuarine crocodile. Eastern brown snake. Bull shark. Irukandji jellyfish. Scientific name: Carukia barnesi. Honey bee. Scientific name: Apis mellifera. Box jellyfish. Scientific name: Chironex fleckeri.

What makes Australia such a hostile country? The Sun — Australia lies under a hole in the ozone layer, and ultraviolet rays burn the skin like nothing else. Snakes — 21 of the 25 venomous snake species live in Australia. Dogs will chase kangaroos that they see in the countryside. Big reds are the largest kangaroos and they can kill a dog if they get into a fight. Kangaroos are also very clever. Can they adapt? Beyond the scope of that immediate crisis, the greater threat to the unusual ecosystem and wildlife of Australia remains human conflict, similar to conservation work around the globe, according to Stalf: "It's about coexistence between wildlife and humans.

That, unfortunately, is our number one problem with conservation. Register or Log In. The Magazine Shop. Login Register Stay Curious Subscribe. Planet Earth. Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news. Sign Up. Already a subscriber? Want more? Marsupials are animals that have pouches. When their young are born, they are still too undeveloped, so they hang around in their mom's pouches until they're big enough to fend for themselves.

Another theory believes that this is why marsupials flourished in the tough environment of Australia. Home Daily Edition Why are there so many marsupials in Australia? Discover new things everyday Download App now.