Parks resources for schools

Mammals are animals that have a backbone and a well-developed brain protected by a skull. 

They have a four-chambered heart that pumps warm blood around the body. 

All have hair or fur and four limbs which may be adapted for swimming or flying. 

Almost all of them start life inside their mothers, are born alive and drink milk from their mother's bodies.

There are exceptions - three types of mammals called monotremes that lay eggs instead of having live babies.

Agile wallaby

The agile wallaby is the Top End's most common wallaby. 

Read about agile wallabies. PDF (310.3 KB)

Bats

There are more than 35 species of bats in the NT. 

Read about bats.  PDF (472.4 KB)

Burrowing bettong

Burrowing bettongs were once common animals in the dry parts of Australia but they have mostly disappeared.

Read about burrowing bettongs. PDF (327.7 KB)

Central rock rat

The central rock rat is an extremely rare rodent. It was thought to be extinct until 1997 when a population was found in the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Read about the central rock rat. PDF (691.3 KB)

Dingo

The dingo has a very good sense of smell and hearing, combined with superb night vision make the dingo a great hunter.

Read about the dingo. PDF (332.5 KB)

Flying foxes

The largest species of bat in the NT is the flying fox.

Read about the flying fox. PDF (401.2 KB)

Hare-wallaby (mala)

The rufous hare-wallaby or mala was once common throughout the spinifex plains and sand dunes of Central and Western Australia but it is on the edge of extinction. 

Read about the hare-wallaby PDF (404.6 KB) and how to save the mala. PDF (631.5 KB)

Kangaroos and wallabies

Find out more about marsupials such as kangaroos and wallabies.

Read about kangaroos and wallabies. PDF (430.1 KB)

Possums

Possums are common in southern cities and in some spots around the NT.

Read about possums. PDF (545.7 KB)

Quolls

Two of Australia's four species of quoll used to be found in the NT, but now the Western quoll and the Northern quoll are very rare.

Read about quolls. PDF (410.7 KB)

Water mouse

It was over 100 years ago that scientists first found a water mouse in the NT.

Read about the water mouse. PDF (435.9 KB)

More about mammals

See a list of books to find out more about mammals. PDF (151.1 KB)