Local Wildlife

Our district is characterised by bushland, rural and semi-rural environments, which still retain a reasonable proportion of native habitat meaning that we often find we share our backyards and properties with a range of native wildlife.

Mostly we can happily co-exist, however on occasion there are species which can cause problems. We must remember that these wild animals are instinctively trying to survive and are sometimes under enormous pressure in a rapidly changing environment. They are also protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (NPW Act).

The Southern Brown Bandicoot is the last species of Bandicoot remaining in South Australia after the other eight have become extinct. They are nationally, State and regionally threatened. Their habitat stronghold is mainly from Cleland Conservation Park, south to Mount Bold Reservoir with patchy distribution outside of that range. The main causes of Bandicoot decline are loss of suitable habitat, predation from foxes and cats, deterioration of habitat quality and fragmentation of habitat by human development.

They typically prefer habitat containing shrubby forest, woodland, scrublands and heathland communities with thick undergrowth, and in some instances, grassland sites and degraded habitat such as dense Blackberry thickets. Bandicoots are 'omnivorous' which means they feed on a wide range of invertebrates such as insects, spiders, centipedes, earthworms, as well as small skinks and frogs, and plant matter.

In November 2023, the Bandicoot Habitat Management Guidelines were developed under the federally funded Bandicoot Superhighway project. The guidelines outline how to improve, expand and connect suitable habitat as priority actions.

How to minimise the impacts to Bandicoots when clearing Blackberry thickets.

Many native fauna species utilise the dense thickets of Blackberry as habitat, or ‘harbour’ in evading predators, such as foxes and cats. When species such as Southern Brown Bandicoots are present within areas containing Blackberry infestations, it is important to make sure that Blackberry treatment is staged. This will ensure that not all effective habitat is removed at once and allow time for alternative native vegetation habitat (regeneration or revegetation) to replace the Blackberry.

Pictured: Bandicoot by Kirsten Long

Echidnas are widespread through the Adelaide Hills and Australia and are not listed as threatened.

They are one of the only two 'Monotremes' in Australia (the other being the Platypus). Monotremes are egg-laying mammals and are characterised by their prickly quills (spines) covering their body and very strong claws for digging. They hibernate in the winter, and on hot days will forage at night to avoid the heat, feeding exclusively on ants and termites.

If you see an Echidna and it is not injured or in danger, then do not disturb it. When an Echidna feels threatened it rolls itself into a ball and uses its spines for protection or will dig down into the ground. Female Echidnas are likely to have their young in a nearby burrow and these young 'puggles' will stay in their mother's den for up to a year before leaving.

The main threats to echidnas are roads, where they can be hit by cars. If you find an injured Echidna and need to move it, use gardening gloves to protect your hands from the spines and report it to a fauna rescue organisation or a local vet clinic for treatment.

Pictured: Echidna by Claire Punter

The Rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster) is a webbed-footed native water rat that is considered endangered in the Mount Lofty Ranges. One of only two freshwater amphibious mammals in Australia (the other being the Platypus), the Rakali is generally nocturnal, lives in metre-long burrows along the banks of watercourses and lakes, and feeds on small fish, yabbys, frogs, reptiles, large aquatic insects, and spiders.

The Rakali is distinctive due to its water-repellent fur, partially webbed feet, heavily whiskered face, golden coloured belly, and thick white-tipped tail that is roughly the same length as its body.

The major threats affecting the survival of this iconic local species include:

• Pollution of waterways and bank erosion.
• Increasing urbanisation and loss of habitat.
• Predation by foxes, cats and domestic dogs.
• Drowning in enclosed yabby nets (these nets, specifically 'Opera House' design nets, trap and prevent air breathing animals like Rakali and turtles from escaping).

The Rakali is protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1972 and we encourage our community to help them thrive by keeping waterways clear of rubbish, keeping pets safely confined or on leads when walking, and avoiding the use of enclosed yabby nets, which were banned in South Australia on July 1, 2023.

Pictured: Rakali by Colin Phil Cook

The Brush-tailed Possum is now considered ‘rare’ in South Australia, undergoing a steady decline with the onset of habitat destruction due to spreading urbanisation.

These nocturnal marsupials emerge from their dens or hollows at night and venture out in search of food; traversing roof tops, tree canopies, power lines and fences to avoid the ground where predators and other dangers lurk. They are mostly a wary creature, avoiding humans unless they are being fed, but can pose a nuisance by feeding on garden produce and damaging fruit trees and flowers, whilst also proving to be a noisy resident when living in the roof cavity.

Several steps can be taken to minimise the nightly disturbance and protect domestic gardens and horticultural produce from the scavenging possums.

• ‘Possum Proof’ your house — Seal obvious holes and broken tiles. Wait until night to plug holes so as not to trap the Possum in the house. Provide an alternative home by erecting a nest box in a nearby tree or sheltered position, at least four metres above the ground.
• Relocation — You have a legal responsibility to deal with a Possum problem in a humane manner, so Possum relocation can be an option. In South Australia all possums are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 and the Animal Welfare Act 1985. You must have a permit to capture and release possums. Alternatively contact a licensed Possum removal service.
• Do not feed — Artificial food will encourage possums to converge on the area and possibly lead to conflict between animals. Possums can also become reliant on a food source and grow unaccustomed to foraging. This includes compost heaps, bird feeders and fallen fruit from fruit trees.
• Protect fruit trees and vegetable gardens:
  • Fruit trees — use wide collars of metal sheeting around the trunks or branches of trees to stop possums climbing (60cm wide and 60cm above the ground). Trees will also need to be pruned back so they can’t be reached from the canopy of adjoining trees. Cover small fruit trees in frames covered in light shade cloth (netting can often entangle the animal).
  • Gardens — in extreme cases, gardens can be enclosed in chicken wire to protect vegetable plants. A bitter spray such as quassia chips, minced garlic or chilli flakes that have been boiled and made into a liquid spray can be used to deter feeding possums.

As our urban areas continue to encroach on preferred Kangaroo habitat, residents increasingly come into contact with them which could become dangerous for the Kangaroos and residents. For the most part, Kangaroos are placid animals, but can be dangerous when they feel threatened, however the overall risk of being attacked by a Kangaroo is very low.

It is important you are aware of how important it is to enjoy these animals from a distance. Several steps can be taken to minimise the risk to humans or animals.

• Do not feed — This brings Kangaroos into close contact with humans and increases any potential risks or dangers they may pose to people. In addition, an artificial diet is often unsuitable to their dietary requirements and can lead them to become aggressive and overly reliant on the food source, even creating unbalanced Kangaroo numbers.
• Do not let your dog/s chase Kangaroos — Sometimes when a mother Kangaroo is under threat, she will often eject the joey to improve her chances of escape. The joey is obviously extremely vulnerable away from the mother and often dies of exposure or attack from the predator. Dogs are also highly at risk of being hurt as Kangaroos will vigorously defend themselves when confronted, potentially drawing you or the dog into a dangerous situation. Many dogs are drowned in dams and water ways each year as a result of cornering Kangaroos.
• Consider fencing gardens and high value crops and limit the available resources around your home that attract Kangaroos such as open water, sheltered areas, and food.
• Keep a safe distance from Kangaroos and educate your children, visitors and friends about having a healthy respect for wildlife. For a variety of reasons, but particularly when they or their young joeys are under threat, a Kangaroo may attack a person as if they were another kangaroo. They are known to push and scratch with their forepaws or sit back on their tail and kick out with its hind legs and resulting in injuries that can be serious.

The Koala was formally only located in the lower south-east of South Australia but was hunted to extinction for the fur trade. To help secure their survival, Koalas were introduced to the Mount Lofty Ranges and other regions between 1959–69. There are now an estimated 114,000 koalas throughout the region, and they have become an iconic native species with a very high public profile. They are protected by law in South Australia under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (NPW Act).

Unfortunately, Koalas have built up to unsustainable numbers within the region and threaten the very habitat on which they rely, primarily Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis). In many areas these trees are showing chronic signs of defoliation due to over-browsing by Koalas and in some cases, death. The Department of Environment and Water has developed a strategy to help conserve and manage the Koalas across our state. This Strategy brings together Government, the community, land managers, experts and scientists to look at ways of working together to guide, manage and conserve our Koala population long into the future. We all have a role to play in implementing the Strategy’s actions. For more information please read through The South Australian Koala Conservation and Management Strategy.

Many residents encounter Koalas on a regular basis, visiting the trees within their gardens and in local reserves and roadsides, crossing roads, and unfortunately as roadkill on Hills roads and especially the major highways. They are particularly prevalent during the breeding season (September to February) and during heatwaves where they will spend more time on the ground moving between trees or searching for water. Despite the healthy population of Koalas in the Adelaide Hills district, the species still face significant challenges from the impacts of development and destruction of their habitat, disease, vehicle strikes, dog attacks and bushfires.

Adelaide Hills Council will be conducting 2 trials along sections of major vehicle strike 'hotspots'. The trial sites are Greenhill Road in Summertown, and Onkaparinga Valley Road in Balhannah / Woodside. This will involve the installation of 'virtual fencing' which aims to deter animals crossing at night. The trials will go for 12 months starting in 2024.

You can take some actions to minimise impacts on koalas and assist in their conservation:

• Keeping dogs under control and protecting Koalas from pets in the event that they are on the ground during hot weather or travelling between trees
• Provide drinking water at the base of trees during hot weather
• Planting preferred food trees (Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis ssp. camaldulensis), Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata), SA Blue Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon), Long-leaved Box (Eucalyptus goniocalyx) and Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua)
• Being alert while driving and slowing down while driving on roads where Koalas might be crossing

It is important to remember that Koalas do not live in our backyards, rather we are living in theirs. Never attempt to pick up a Koala on the ground, as it is extremely stressful to the animal and they can become aggressive and will likely scratch or bite.

Pictured: Koala by Tonia Brown

Residents are more likely to encounter snakes during the warmer months of the year, from October to April when they are active.

The most common snakes encountered in the region are the Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis), Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus), the Pygmy Copperhead (Austrelaps labialis) and the Little Whip Snake (Parasuta flagellum). They are all venomous snakes but bites to humans are rare due to their timid and inconspicuous nature. They will try and avoid confrontation by either moving away and hiding, or lying still until the threat has moved away. However, they may try to defend themselves if they feel cornered or threatened.

Snakes generally inhabit natural areas of bushland, grasslands and creeklines of the Adelaide Hills, but have also adapted well to urban environments. They predominantly feed on rats and mice and can find suitable shelter around homes and sheds.

It is important to be aware that snakes live in our environment, are protected under the Natural Parks and Wildlife Act 1975. and there are steps that can be taken to minimise the chance of encounters.

• Tidy up rubbish around your property — Snakes are attracted to shelter such as rocks and timber, sheets of iron lying on the ground, or building materials.
• Reduce feral rats and mice numbers — Often rats can proliferate in a back yard when a food source is unrestricted. This often occurs in association with chickens coups/sheds and open compost pits. Explore ways to limit the availability of food for rodents which inadvertently provide snakes with a regular food supply.
• Unkempt lawns and long grass can provide havens for snake.
• Snakes will take shelter in unseen, dark places — such as shoes left outside!
• Educate children to respect snakes, be aware of where they may live, what to do if they encounter a snake and how to avoid being bitten.

If you find a snake

• Move away slowly, keep children and pets clear and do not attempt to touch or catch it.
• Contact a licensed snake remover if necessary (see below).
• Apply first aid and seek medical help immediately if a bite occurs.
• Do not try to kill a snake.

If you feel you need to remove the snake from an inappropriate location, please contact a snake removal service.

Pictured: Eastern Brown Snake by Peter Watton

A vast number of bird species utilise the habitats within the Mt Lofty Ranges. Many of these are still reliant on the native woodlands, shrublands and grasslands, whilst others have adapted to the changes brought about by agriculture and urbanisation.

Pictured: Rainbow Lorikeet by Peter Watton

Part of living in the Adelaide Hills means having to share our space with native and introduced insects and other creepy crawlies. Some of these are more of a nuisance than danger, such as the introduced Millipede, whilst others can pose a danger to humans and are known to deliver a painful bite or sting (e.g. bees, wasps and venomous spiders), and cause severe reactions in some people. The most common species encountered in the Hills include the European Honeybee, European Wasp, Millipede, Mosquito, Hopper Ant (or Jumping Jacks), Inch Ant (or Bull Ant), and Redback, Huntsman and Whitetail spiders.

A commonsense approach should be applied to common insects and spiders, to minimise contact with the species and reduce the risk of harm from bites and stings.

Pictured: European Honeybee by Peter Watton

Once widespread across the southern parts of Australia, goannas or monitor lizards (or Varanids), are now rarely seen in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges region. There are 3 large goanna species that occur in southern South Australia – the Heath Goanna, Gould's Sand Goanna and the Lace Monitor. Goannas are our last remaining large, native, land-based predator in southern South Australia and they need our help!

The Heath Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi) is Vulnerable in South Australia and classified as Critically Endangered in the Mount Lofty Ranges. The Sand Goanna (Varanus gouldii) is rated as Vulnerable in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges. The Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) are Rare in South Australia and considered a 'vagrant' in Mount Lofty Ranges.

It is estimated that there are fewer than 100 Heath Goanna individuals remaining within the region. The Heath Goanna has a preference for heathy woodland and wet or dry forests and temperate woodland habitats where they shelter in burrows, hollow logs and rock crevices. They will utilise open paddocks and grazing land to search for food and shelter and when moving between patches of vegetation. Eggs are laid in active termite mounds in mid-late summer and hatch after eight months.

The main threats to all goannas are habitat loss, removal of termite mounds for nesting, predation by cats and foxes and domestic dogs and road mortality.

Pictured: Heath Goanna by Anthony Abley

In the Adelaide Hills there are a number of different types of bat species: Most area insectivorous 'microbats' and flying foxes (pictured), which feed on nectar and fruit.

Microbats can weigh between four and 150 grams and can fit in the palm of your hand, while flying foxes are 300 grams up to 1 kilogram in weight and have a wingspan of up to 1.6 metres.

The species of flying fox found in South Australia, the Grey-headed Flying-fox, is nationally threatened and considered to be vulnerable to extinction.

All bats are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, but the Grey-headed Flying-fox is additionally protected under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 because of its national conservation rating.

Wildlife-friendly nets are those you cannot push your fingers through, and with openings no larger than five millimeters square when fully stretched.

Birds, possums, lizards, snakes and bats are the main victims of unsafe netting, which can entangle them.

During the struggle to escape from netting, the net often binds harder, and can cut into the animal, often causing severe injury and even death.

Wildlife friendly netting can be purchased at retail outlets such as Bunnings, Mitre 10 and online.