A NSW Government website

Native animal facts

Learn about some well-known and not so well-known NSW native animals.

A green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea) perched on a rock

Australia has 240 known species of native amphibians, and all of them are frogs.

A rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) perched in a tree

New South Wales is home to hundreds of species of native birds, including the rainbow lorikeet, the emu and the little penguin.

A purple copper butterfly (Paralucia spinifera) on a leaf

Find out where these animals are found, how they can be identified and what can be done to protect them.

Two kangaroos face opposite directions

Some of Australia's world-famous animals might be found in a national park or backyard near you.

The tail of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) appears above the water

Many of the ocean’s most majestic creatures can be seen along the NSW coastline.

A pale-headed snake (hoplocephalus bitorquatus) sticks out its tongue

Most Australian reptiles live on land but some are aquatic animals.