Fauna

What types of native animals do we have at the RBGC?

The RBG Cranbourne supports a diverse native animal population.

The most commonly seen animals include the Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) (particularly at the Stringybark Picnic Area), the Short Beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), the New Holland Honey Eater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) and the Superb Fairy Wren (Malurus cyaneus).

How to spot animals in the bush

When walking through the bushland at Cranbourne you will often see evidence that animals have been on the tracks. Look out for diggings on the side of paths, animal droppings or scats, feathers and track marks in the sand. Download the following Animal Signs, Scats and Tracks (MS Word - 2.42 mb) sheet and record the signs that you see.

Which animals are considered threatened?

RBG Cranbourne provides a habitat for a number of threatened animals including:

• Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus)
• Baillon’s Crake (Porzana pusilla)
• Lewin’s Rail (Dryolimnas pectoralis)
• Blue Billed Duck (Oxyura australis)
• Painted Honeyeater (Grantiella picta)
• Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)
• Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus)
• Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor)
• White Egret (Ardea alba/intermedia)
• White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
• Swamp Skink (Ergenia coventryi)

State significant species full list (MS Word - 24 kb)

Snakes

RBG Cranbourne is home to several species of snakes. In warm weather, watch out for venomous Copperhead and Tiger Snakes - sometimes they can be seen sunning themselves on the tracks.

If you see a snake:

• Do not approach the snake
• Wait for the snake to move off the track
• Remember that snakes are protected animals and are an important part of the bushland ecosystem.

Are there any ‘introduced’ animals at RBG Cranbourne?

There are a number of introduced animals at RBG Cranbourne. These animals pose a threat not only to the native animal population, but also to the vegetation. Pest animals include foxes, cats, dogs, rabbits, rats (Black Rat), mice and some birds including Mynas and Starlings.

How are these ‘pest animals’ managed?

Staff use a variety of specialised, integrated control techniques to reduce the impact of pest animals on site.

How do the animals respond to fire?

As fire is a very natural part of the Australian landscape, most native animals have evolved to cope with it. Some animals, for example the Southern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus), are known to prefer a varied age of vegetation, so burning patches of bushland is beneficial to the survival of these mammals.

List of mammals, reptiles and birds at the RBG Cranbourne

• Bird List (MS Word - 143 kb)
  
• Frog List (MS Word - 22 kb)
• Mammal List (MS Word - 89 kb)
• Reptile List (MS Word - 44 kb)