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The animal and plant life in Kakadu National Park is some of the most unique and diverse in the world. The various terrains within the park and the existence of different ecosystems have formed sub-climates that can support many different types and flora and fauna. Classified primarily as a tropical savannah, the Kakadu Region has wet and dry seasons and as such, the plant and animal inhabitants of the park are some of the most resilient and adaptable species in the world.

Spanning over 19,000 square kilometers, the park contains over 280 bird species, 60 mammal species, 50 freshwater species, 10 000 insects species, and 1700 plant species. Depending on where you are in the park, you can expect to see various different habitats.

The rockier, “stone country” areas have less vegetation, as they are prone to the extremes of the wet and dry seasons. Here, ‘resurrection grasses’ grow, which are able to withstand the both the extreme heat and the sopping wetness of the monsoon season. Few animals can endure the open elements of the stone country, but tucked into the walls of these cliffs are creeks and gorges where strips of monsoon rainforests have developed. Animals like the chestnut-quilled rock pigeon, short-eared rock wallaby, black wallaroo, and ghost bat are abundant around the rock shelter sites of Ubiir and Nourlangie. Other animals more seldom seen in this area include the giant cave gecko, the brilliantly hued orange and blue Leichardt’s grasshopper, and the Oenpelli python, one of Australia’s longest species. These species flock to the rainforest areas as the rock walls and trees species like the Allosyncarpia evergreen and Sandstone pandanus act as a canopy along the rock escarpment and rainforest floor.

Kakadu’s hills and basins feature many plants and animals specific to the park, as 2500 million year old volcanic has created a habitat unlike any other. This is the place to see colorful birdlife native to the area like the hooded parrot, the endangered Gouldian finch, red goshawk, and the black-breasted buzzard. The antilopine wallaby can be found on the ground amongst the abundant plant life that grows on the banks of the banks of the water like the freshwater mangrove and the Silver-leafed paperbark tree.

Much of the same plant life grows all over the park near its waterways, as paperbarks and mangroves thrive in damp conditions. In Kakadu’s tidal flats mangrove roots are a breeding ground for a number of fish, while the drier roots on the banks house groups of flying foxes. Crocodiles and mangrove monitors can often be found waiting for fallen prey at the base of these trees.

In the floodplain and billabong areas the outlying paperbark trees and fresh water mangroves house a varieties of birds such as the kingfisher, white-bellied sea eagle, and the native Jabiru.  Throughout the coastal wetlands, banyan figs, mangroves, and paperbarks also act as a refuge for waterfowl like herons and cormorants during the wet season.

The floodplains, billabongs and tidal flats host many of same creatures and plants. A wide variety of waterfowl can be observed, along with some species that are indigenous to Australia like the magpie goose, and the whistling duck.  Here in the wetlands there is also the seasonal arrival of migratory birds from Northern Asia.

Along the shores of both fresh and salt water sources are a number of turtles, such as the snake-necked, flat backed and pig nosed turtles, as well as variety of water snakes and pythons. Most famous in this region though are the fresh and salt-water crocodiles found throughout the park.  Many Kakadu tours offer breath-taking opportunities to get up close and personal with Kakadu’s crocs. Sharing the waters with the crocs are several species of fish including the barramundi and catfish, along with one of Kakadu’s most peculiar residents, the Dugong, or sea cow.

The most active variety of plant and animal species in Kakadu lives in the Savannah woodland’s or ‘lowland’s which cover almost 80% of the park. This is a birdwatcher’s paradise as the diverse array of birdlife seems endless; red-collared lorikeets, parrots, several types of cockatoos, doves, blue-winged kookaburra, barking owls, and a variety of kites are just to name a few. Wallabies and dingoes can be seen during the day, while nocturnal animals like foxes, small tree marsupials, and the black-footed tree rat, remain out of view until well after dark. Reptiles are very common in this region and include several varieties of snakes (mostly pythons), and lizards, including giant lizard species like the Frill-necked lizard and Gilbert’s Dragons.

Hearty trees like eucalyptus and bloodwoods, along with tall grasses characterize the plant life in this area as they can survive on stored water from the wet season well though the dry season. During the dry season many of these shrubs flower, along with wildflowers.