Quolls Quolls belong to the family of marsupial carnivores (Dasyurids) that includes Tasmanian Tigers, Tasmanian Devils and the tiny mouse-sized Antechinuses. This family has a fearsome reputation because of their carnivorous habits but some quolls are endangered or...
Redback Spider In 1995 a colony of Redback Spiders was found around the port area in Osaka, Japan. Despite attempts to eradicate the spider it seems to be thriving, and there are fears that it will spread throughout Asia. Japanese authorities don’t really know...
RSPCA – Worst Job in the World A few weeks ago we did a story on designer dogs and puppy farms. The new types of dogs being produced by some of the better puppy farms have better temperaments and make excellent pets. From the letters we received it was clear...
Taxidermy Australia has world champions in many fields, but some receive more recognition than others. For example few people are aware that at the 1999 World Taxidermy Championships held in Illinois, USA, Australian Gary Pegg won ‘Best in World’ with his...
Feeding Native Animals For over thirty years Geoff and Christine Smith have been looking after orphaned or injured native animals. Around 1500 kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, wombats and possums have been saved, and then released back to the bush where they were found....
In the last decade or so, there’s been a serious decline in frog populations all over the world, and in Australia alone eight species have become extinct in the last 25 years. What’s even more worrying is that scientists are not really sure why it’s...
The June issue of the Burke’s Backyard magazine contains an informative and useful zip out book – The Burke’s Backyard Guide to Backyard Birds. The book helps identify birds commonly found in Australian gardens and gives tips on how to attract them....
Jack the Corella Jack the Corella has appeared on many television shows all over the world, including Burke’s Backyard, Midday, the BBC’s "Look who’s talking" and programmes on CNN and Japanese TV. Jack has won many Burke’s Backyard...
Keeping Seadragons When Pang Quong was a child he loved catching tadpoles, but that was only the beginning of a fascination with aquatic creatures which has lasted for decades. At his home there are about 30 aquariums containing fish, seahorses and seadragons....
Pet birds need a variety of foods for good health, and if you want your birds to breed it’s even more critical to feed them correctly. Seed, water and shellgrit are vitally important, but they don’t go far enough. There are lots of treats you can either...