Fauna
The diverse environments of Kakadu National Park support an astonishing array of animals, a number of which have adapted to particular habitats. Some animals in the park are considered rare, endangered or endemic (not found anywhere else in the world).
The leichhardt grasshopper photo: Ian Sanderson
Kakadu is one of the few places in Australia where there have been limited, if any, extinctions of plants or animals over the last 200 years. The elusive black wallaroo and rare white-throated grass-wren are restricted to the stone country associated with the Arnhem Land Plateau.
Responding to the extreme weather conditions experienced in the park, many animals change their behaviour and are seen only at particular times of the day or night or at particular times of the year.
Observing animals
- Early morning and sunset are good times to see wildlife
- Use a torch at night to look for nocturnal animals. Be careful not to shine strong spotlights onto sleeping roosting birds
- Look for clues to where animals have been, especially tracks, scats (droppings) and scratchings
- Waterholes along creeklines attract animals. Sit quietly to avoid disturbing them.
- Animals in need of water can quickly become stressed Animals are often heard before they are seen. Walk quietly, listen and watch for movement
- Sit for a while and wait for animals to come to you
- Walk in small quiet groups
- Use binoculars to get a closer look
- Look for animals such as lizards and snakes crossing roads. Slow down so that you see the wildlife rather than run over it
- Do not approach, disturb or feed wildlife
- Estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles inhabit Kakadu waters and deaths and severe injuries have occurred in the park. Obey crocodile warning signs
- Snakes, pigs and buffaloes can also be dangerous. Keep well away from them.
Endangered or vulnerable animal species
The comb-crested jacana | photo: Morland Smith
33 species in Kakadu National Park are listed as threatened. None of the following species are restricted to the park, but preservation of their wider habitat seems more and more problematic and the importance of Kakadu as a conservation area for them increases daily.
Kakadu is also subject to international treaties for the protection of other wildlife and habitats. Find out more
Listed as critically endangered
- Bare-rumped sheathtail bat (Saccolaimus saccolaimus nudicluniatus)
Listed as endangered
- Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae)
- Yellow chat (Epthianura crocea tunneyi)
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)
- Freshwater tongue sole (Cynoglossus heterolepis)
- Speartooth shark (Glyphis sp.A.)
- Northern river shark (Glyphis sp. C.)
Brush tailed rabbit rat | nt.gov.au factsheet PDF
Listed as vulnerable
- Red goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiarus)
- Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)
- Australian bustard (Ardeotis australis)
- Partridge pigeon (Geophaps smithii smithii)
- Masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae kimberli)
- Northern shrike-tit (Falcunculus (frontatus) whitei)
- White-throated grasswren (Amytornis woodwardi)
- Northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus)
- Northern brushtailed phascogale (Phascogale (tapoatafa) pirata)
- False water rat (Xeromys myoides)
- Golden-backed tree rat (Mesembriomys macrurus)
- Arnhem leafnosed bat (Hipposideros (diadema) inornata)
- Golden bandicoot (Isoodon auratus auratus)
- Brush-tailed rabbit rat (Conilurus penicillatus) nt.gov.au factsheet PDF
- Golden-backed tree-rat (Mesembriomys macrurus)
- Water mouse (false water-rat) (Xeromys myoides)
- Arnhem rock-rat (Zyzomys maini)
- Northern grassdart butterfly (Taractrocera ilia ilia)
- Yellow-snouted gecko (Diplodactylus occultus)
- Oenpelli python (Morelia oenpelliensis)
- Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Flatback turtle (Natator depressus)
- Pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta)
- Dwarf sawfish (Pristis clavata)
- Freshwater sawfish (Pristis microdon)
