"Mini 'beasts', lizards, butterflies, moths" Australia Travelogue by Kate-Me

Australia Travel Guide: 48,953 reviews and 101,990 photos

Mini Beasts

And what's this, you might wonder? (or should I say, 'pray tell? LOL)
It's a Praying Mantis. He may be only 5 cm long, but boy can he FIGHT!
Perfectly harmless, but he put up such a good show at fighting my digital camera from the top of this rubbish bin that the friend I had with me wouldn't touch him at all.
I had him all over my arm and my hand, fighting all the way, but had to put him down when it was too hard to keep him still with one hand while firing off shots with the other.
If you blow this pic up you might just be able to see his front folded fighting/grappling/eating legs, which are serrated, orange underneath with a tiny bit of blue.
They're called Preying Mantis because they are carnivores who prey on other small creatures.

Preying Mantis

Here's what the Preying mantis looks like full length...normally they pick a spot to hide where their camouflage works better than this!

House moth

Mini 'beasts', lizards, butterflies, moths - Australia

And now, a couple of photos from the wonderful Butterfly House at the Melbourne zoo, which I visited many years ago.

Bearded Dragon

This is 'little dude', a friend's pet Bearded Dragon lizard, found in the outback, and also in some Victorian National parks (though I've never seen one in the wild).

Dude in his terarium house in the lounge room.

And here I am with little dude....

Naracoorte (SA) lizard

Not sure exactly what species of lizard this little fellow is, but with the soft pads on his feet, he reminded me a bit of the Gecko lizards in Queensland.
I found him rather cute but had to be quick to catch him for a better look.

Ladybird

My forestry friend Barrie with an Echidna he found some years ago.
I have absolutely no idea how he can be holding it, as those porcupine like spines are really needle sharp!
Handling one of these creatures is a very delicate operation indeed!

I don't know the name of these moths, but they're rather common in my area. When I was young, I remember always finding them hiding in some corner of my father's garage, because they hate the light.
This one was hiding under my back step until I accidentally surprised it.
I rather like the blue iridescent eyes on this otherwise dull moth.

Zooming in on the yellow, furry underside of the moth.

Mr Leaf-bug

I don't know what species this little guy is either, but I rather liked him.
If you enlarge him, you might even be able to see the veins along the back, just like on a real leaf!

leaf bug on my mocassin

If you look closely at his face, you'll notice there seem to be some similarities to that of the Preying Mantis.
Well, they both have excellent disguises!

Page Updated Apr 4, 2004
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Comments (32)

KiKitC Sep 6, 2007 at 3:18 AM Report Abuse

We've camped in many areas here in the US...love it. We'd love to pack our 4WD and caravan Australia ourselves.
Stephen-KarenConn Mar 14, 2005 at 4:40 AM Report Abuse

Your camping and holiday parks travelogue is very informative and helpful. Karen and I love camping here in the USA, and hope to do an Australian tour in the next year or two.
deecat Feb 24, 2004 at 9:25 PM Report Abuse

Outstanding pages, even without photographs. Helpful, useful tips. Thanks for info about spiders, especially. Also the information of gays is important and helpful to many who need it. Details and personal opinions are great and make your work worthwhile.
aussiedoug Feb 21, 2004 at 6:56 PM Report Abuse

Growing up in a little mid north coast (NSW) beach town I never got to do the camping thing as a kid, but became friends with lots of recurring visitors who did. Gr8 page Kate, very informative & helpful!
quartinb Dec 16, 2003 at 2:21 AM Report Abuse

a diferent view from downunder... only possible here om VT:))
XenoHumph Jun 26, 2003 at 2:21 PM Report Abuse

Very nice introduction to Australia! Cute animal picts!! Thanks for the vistual trip!
cosmopolit Jun 14, 2003 at 11:27 AM Report Abuse

Very interesting page lots of good tips n nice pics. Yeah the bush fire problem's bad. I saw last years near Sydney.
belgianchocolate Jun 14, 2003 at 9:39 AM Report Abuse

I found the koala. :-))
colin_bramso Apr 17, 2003 at 1:36 AM Report Abuse

Great stuff! So much info I'll have to keep coming back...
mr.jacob Apr 14, 2003 at 5:44 PM Report Abuse

very helpful tips, thankx