This marsupial saved by the disappearance of rabbits... and drought

Australia holds a special place in the hearts of animal lovers. There's, of course, the absence of large land carnivores—big cats and bears—a unique phenomenon on this scale. Or the proliferation of deadly spiders and snakes, the likes of which are found nowhere else. But, in truth, it's the island continent's fauna as a whole that's unique. Between 83% and 93% of mammal, reptile, fish, insect, and amphibian species are endemic to the country. Among them, the most iconic: the platypus, the kangaroo, the koala, and more.

Unfortunately, Australia also holds a sad record: that of mammal extinctions. Of the 85 species that have disappeared from the face of the globe since the beginning of the ^19th century, 39 lived here. That explains it, you might say. When a species lives only in one country, its national disappearance leads to its extinction. However, the observation doesn't stop there. Indeed, Australia has a total of 380 species of mammals: that's 10% of the total that has disappeared, a considerable proportion.

You have 74.4% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.