Red Gum Kids Animal Stories

Penny the Powerful Owl

I am about 60cm long, which makes me the BIGGEST owl in Australia! I live around the eastern and south eastern parts of Australia in the mountains, forests, woodlands, scrub and humans’ gardens. If you have ever seen me you would have noticed my BIG brown eyes, large feathers and yellow feet. Have you also seen my powerful and heavy claws?

Saskia the Squirrel glider

Hi! My name is Saskia, the Squirrel Glider. Did you know I am about twice the size of my friend, the Sugar Glider and can glide up to 15 metres from one tree to another! My favourite foods are fruit and insects and I live in the east of Australia.

Sam the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

Have you ever heard a loud screeching noise above you in the sky? Chances are it was me or one of my Sulphur Crested Cockatoo friends. We’re so noisy, but we are also very smart and curious. My home is in mountains ranges, rainforests and swamp woodlands in a lot of Australia. Many people own my relatives as pets, but of course we prefer to be free to fly in the sky of this beautiful country.

Liam the Lace Monitor

G’Day! I am Liam, the Lace Monitor. I’m a big lizard with a long tail and white patterns on my body. I love to munch on insects, reptiles, small mammals, birds and birds’ eggs. I get really lazy when it’s cold weather and hide in tree hollows, logs or under big rocks. But, when the sun is out and the weather is warm I become very active and can walk up to 3 kilometres in one day!

 Kelly the Kookaburra

I am a large bird and most famous for my laugh. Have you heard me before? I laugh very loudly and it sometimes even sounds like a human laugh! I live in arid areas but also like to sit and fly around places where I will find food- like near houses!

I am a carnivore, which means I eat meat. I love to snack on lizards, snakes, insects, mice and raw meat.

Beatrice the Brush-tailed Possums

You have probably seen me around your house, because I'm able to survive quite well around lots of people. I sleep in dens, tree hollows or in the roofs of houses. But, I don’t sleep at night time. I am nocturnal, which means I sleep during the day and am active at night. My favourite foods are fruit, flowers and leaves. Sometimes I also like to eat small animals.

Kia the Koala

I’m cute and cuddly like a teddy bear, but I am NOT a bear! I have a thick, soft grey coat and five fingers. I spend my days and nights in eucalyptus trees. I bet you know why?? Because all I eat is Eucalyptus leaves! And when I’m not doing that I’m sleeping! I’m very lazy and I rest for 16 to 18 hours a day.

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie the Gumnut Babies

We are the Gumnut babies, created by May Gibbs. Aren’t we cute?! We don’t really live in the River Red Gum trees but we came to visit because we heard they are being chopped down. This made us sad and we wanted to remind all Australians that they need to take care of this precious area of bush. Why don’t you tell all your friends and family to learn about and look after these wonderful trees.

Carly the Corroboree Frog

Hi there! Aren’t I one of the prettiest frogs you have ever seen? Unfortunately many of my relatives have died in the last 30 years from things like drought, feral animals and people destroying my habitat. I just love to gulp up ants, beetles, baby insects and mites. When it is cold I hide away (hibernate) under whatever shelter I can find.

Mandy the Murray Cod

HOWDY! Did you know that I am the biggest freshwater fish in Australia and one of the largest in the world? I have tiny teeth like needles that I use to munch on other small fish. I am a very caring mother and look after my eggs very well. I usually lay them in hollow logs in the river. You may have seen me if you have visited the Murray-Darling river area.