Lamington National Park and the surrounding lowlands support an abundance of mammals, totaling around 70 species in 18 families. However several of these, such as the microbats and some of our smaller marsupials, are not readily seen by the casual observer. Mammal Week, an annual survey of the mammal fauna of this region conducted in conjunction with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, provides an opportunity to be shown these fascinating creatures in the hand by experts in the field.
The following are some of the mammals that are more easily seen in this area:
Rainforest and Edges
The most conspicuous mammals around the guesthouse usually begin to appear in the late afternoon: the Red-necked Pademelons. These tiny wallabies of the rainforest are common in the grassy clearings, but their cousins the Red-legged Pademelons prefer to stay well into the forest and are sometimes seen on tracks such as Python Rock, especially in the early morning. Often the only evidence of their presence is the loud ‘thumping' they produce as a warning to others as they hop noisily away.
Four species of possum occur in the rainforest, and an after-dark excursion should produce two of them. Common Ringtail Possums have reddish-brown fur and white-tipped tail. They spend their days in a spherical nest they construct of twigs, vines and fern-fronds, and you may occasionally see them carrying this material in their tails. Mountain (or Short-eared) Brushtails are much larger and darker (some individuals being almost jet-black) and have dens in tree hollows. They are winter breeders and have one young, which you may see being carried on the mother's back. Sugar Gliders occur in rainforest but are more readily seen in eucalypt country in flowering bankias or wattles; listen for their soft, yapping calls. And very few people are fortunate enough to see the tiny Eastern Pygmy-possum, but the first record for Queensland was actually made by Molly O'Reilly!
Long-nosed and Northern Brown Bandicoots are both seen on occasion, although the former is more typically a rainforest species and is known for dashing off making a shrill barking sound. Bandicoots make conical excavations in search of food, and evidence of their feeding is a common sight on the guesthouse lawns and in the forest. These two marsupials share a pregnancy period of only twelve-and-a-half days!
Small mammals of the rainforest floor are occasionally seen scurrying away or darting across the mountain road, especially on wet evenings. The larger of these is likely to be a Bush Rat, a native rodent around the size of a Black Rat with a tail around the same length of its body. Much smaller than the Bush Rat is a carnivorous marsupial called a Brown Antechinus, while another of intermediate size and tan colouring that regularly climbs along the trunks and branches is a Fawn-footed Melomys. These creatures are sometimes seen on glow worm tours, where there also is the chance of glimpsing the imposing Water Rat (about the size of a ringtail possum) hurriedly making its way up the creek.
One mammal to be aware of on your rainforest walks is the impressive carnivorous marsupial, the Spotted-tailed Quoll. Sadly quolls are rarely seen these days but if you do come across one be sure to report it to the guides in the Discovery Centre. They are unmistakable, being the size of a cat, dark brown with large white spots all over the body and tail.
On night walks you may sometimes notice tiny bats flying silently along pathways through the forest or through lights around the guesthouse. Several species do this and close inspection is usually required for identification. However you may sometimes hear one flying overhead producing a high-pitched ‘tink-tink-tink' call: this is a White striped Freetail-bat. The other microbats here emit frequencies too high for our ears to detect. Eastern Horseshoe-bats are quite distinctive with their unmistakeable noseleaf, and roost under the guesthouse buildings; you may see them emerging at dusk.
Dingoes (although rarely in pure form) also occur in the rainforest and may be heard howling in the distance on some evenings.
Eucalypt forest and lowlands
A drive through the open forest on the mountain road early or late in the day should produce Whiptail (also known as Pretty-faced) Wallabies, with their grey fur and prominent white facial stripe, and the more reddish-brown Red-necked Wallaby. Koalas are thinly scattered through this forest and keen eyes may pick one up on the journey. At night you'll often see Common Brushtail Possums on the road, and with a bit of luck you might encounter a smallish grey carnivorous marsupial with a dark, bushy tail called a Brush-tailed Phascogale. And a tiny creature scurrying across could be a Common Planigale or Common Dunnart.
The tall eucalypt forest high on the Duck Creek Road is the best place to spotlight for Greater Gliders, their bright eyeshine giving away these impressive gliding possums, but don't expect too much activity from them! Long-nosed Potoroos also occur here but tend to stay well hidden in the dense sorghum grass. Red-necked Wallabies are often seen on these higher sections also and the odd Koala is spotted. Check any flowering acacias, banksias or grass trees as you may find Sugar Gliders or, if you're extremely lucky, a Pygmy-possum or Feathertail Glider.
Echidnas occur right through all forest types in Lamington and while they are rarely sighted, you may come upon one crossing the road on occasion.
A trip into the open grasslands of the Kerry Valley in the late afternoon should produce Eastern Grey Kangaroos, while Platypus is a possibility in any of the larger pools in the Albert River. Platypus are also regularly seen in the pool in Canungra Creek behind the homestead at Canungra Vallay Vineyards, while those with an interest in volant mammals might like to check out the colony of Grey-headed and Little Red flying foxes on the Beechmont road a few kilometers out of Canungra. On the grassy slopes of both valleys there is also a possibility of spotting Rufous Bettong and Squirrel Glider in flowering eucalypts.
