Hobbies And Interests
Elegant Frog
The elegant frog (Cophixalus concinnus) is an amphibian that measures just 1 inch in length. Gray with orangy patches and a light-colored belly, it lives under logs and leaf litter in montane rainforests. Conservation reports from 10 to 15 years ago suggested that the frog's population size was stable or even expected to grow, but the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the frog as a critically endangered species due to disappearing habitats and projected climate change.
Mahogany Glider
The mahogany glider (Petaurus gracilis) is a gliding possum that is larger than most other members of the family. Conservationists thought this nocturnal marsupial was extinct for 100 years, until it was rediscovered in 1989. Owls and scrub pythons hunt the mahogany glider, which builds its nests in the hollows of trees. IUCN lists the animal as endangered in its rainforest habitat in northern Queensland. Conservationists blame human forest clearing for the loss of its habitat.
Tiger Quoll
Also known as the spotted-tailed quoll, the tiger quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is a carnivorous animal that is the largest of the quolls, measuring nearly 3 feet in length. They resemble mongooses and have reddish-brown to dark-brown fur with white spots along the body. Although the IUCN lists the tiger quoll's conservation status as vulnerable, the Australian Department of the Environment and Heritage considers it endangered.
Regent Honeyeater
The regent honeyeater (Xanthomyza phrygia) is an endangered bird with bright yellow and white plumage, as well as a black hood and neck with a pale yellow chest. It features a large, sharp black bill with a downward curve that allows it to better feed on nectar-producing plants. The loss of Australia's rainforest is the main threat the bird faces.