Australian Wildlife Biology (ZOOL20004)

This subject explores the evolutionary history and diversity of Australia’s vertebrate and invertebrate fauna, with an emphasis on the ecology, behaviour, and remarkable adaptations of frogs, reptiles, birds, and mammals to Australia’s dynamic and often unpredictable terrestrial environments. From the deep-time origins of lineages that survived the age of dinosaurs to the challenges posed by climate change, introduced species, and habitat degradation, students will examine how Australia’s animals have evolved, adapted, and are now managed and conserved in a rapidly changing world. 

Topics include the evolutionary history and diversity of Australian animals in a global context; the significance of evolutionary innovations such as venom and cooperative breeding; and the ethical and ecological complexities of conservation, reintroduction, and de-extinction efforts. Throughout the subject, students will engage with cutting-edge research, develop field observation skills, and interact with scientific experts and indigenous educators. Indigenous knowledges and perspectives are integrated as vital ways of understanding and caring for Country. Students will critically reflect on the multiple knowledge systems that shape contemporary wildlife research and conservation practice. 

Through fieldwork, interactive dialogue, and authentic assessment tasks, students will develop the ability to interpret data, question assumptions, and communicate their understanding of Australian wildlife to diverse audiences. 

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to: 

• Describe the major taxonomic groups of Australian fauna and analyse patterns of biodiversity across ecosystems.
• evaluate ecological and evolutionary traits of key Australian wildlife groups using current scientific evidence.
• conduct and record field observations using appropriate methods, and draw on print and digital resources to support species identification and behavioural analysis.
• synthesise and communicate scientific findings through clear, evidence-based written and visual formats suitable for academic and public audiences.
• critically engage with scientific and Indigenous knowledges, and articulate their complementary contributions to understanding and managing Australian wildlife.
• construct and defend arguments about Australian wildlife ecology in dialogue with experts and peers, demonstrating clarity, logic, and responsiveness to feedback.
• reflect on the process of scientific inquiry, including ethical and methodological considerations in the study of Australian animals.

Generic skills

This subject builds upon generic skills developed in first-year subjects, including an ability to approach and assimilate new knowledge and an ability to use that knowledge to evaluate and communicate ideas.

Upon completion of this subject students should have:

• learned how to observe critically and to use the results of those observations to pose and answer theoretical questions and to solve practical problems;
• gained experience in mastering the terminology of a scientific field and then in using that mastery to access an established body of scientific literature and material;
• developed the ability to critically evaluate questions and issues in that scientific field;
• learned how to collect and interpret data in field situations and write this up as a scientific report.