Native animals

The Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) and the Black Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) are two native marsupials found in Mount Alexander Shire.

Eastern Grey Kangaroos are large, social animals often found in open woodlands, grasslands, and even on the edges of towns.

They are most active at dawn and dusk, feeding on grasses and other low vegetation, and can often be seen in family groups known as mobs.

Despite their size and power, they are gentle in nature and play an important role in shaping grassland ecosystems.

In contrast, the Black Wallaby, also known as the Swamp Wallaby, is smaller, more solitary and more secretive.

They prefer dense understorey vegetation and forest edges, where they feed on a variety of leaves, shrubs and ferns.

Their dark fur, shy nature and hopping gait make them more difficult to spot, although they’re widespread across the shire.

Both species are vulnerable to threats such as habitat loss, vehicle collisions and predation by dogs.

Protecting areas of native vegetation and improving wildlife corridors help ensure these marsupials continue to thrive in both bushland and peri-urban environments.

The Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) and the Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) are two of Australia’s most unique and iconic native animals, and both can be found in Mount Alexander Shire.

Echidnas are solitary and slow-moving, recognised by their spiny coats and strong digging claws.

They are commonly seen across the region’s bushlands and even in rural gardens, where they forage for ants and termites.

Platypuses, a shy and elusive aquatic mammal, are rarely seen but are known to inhabit Campbells Creek – a locally significant waterway that supports a small resident population.

The ongoing health of this platypus population is supported by the flow of treated water from the Castlemaine Water Reclamation Plant.

This helps maintain base flows in the creek, especially during dry periods.

Platypuses rely on clean, flowing water and healthy creek banks for feeding and nesting, making them highly sensitive to erosion and pollution impacts and changes in water quality.

Protecting and restoring riparian vegetation, controlling sediment runoff and ensuring consistent environmental flows are all vital actions to support the survival of this unique species in the shire.

Mount Alexander Shire is a fantastic place for birdwatching, with its varied landscapes supporting a wide range of bird species year-round.

The region forms part of the internationally recognised Greater Bendigo and St Arnaud Box-Ironbark Important Bird Area (IBA).

This plays a vital role in conserving the Victorian Temperate Woodland Bird Community – a group of woodland birds in serious decline across south-eastern Australia.

Local forests and woodlands are home to iconic species such as the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) and Barking Owl (Ninox connivens).

Both of these owls rely on large, hollow-bearing trees for nesting and roosting.

Flowering eucalypts such as Yellow Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon), Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus tricarpa) and Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) provide vital nectar for honeyeaters, lorikeets and the critically endangered Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor), which occasionally visits the region when flowering conditions are favourable.

The woodlands support ground and shrub-dwelling species such as the Speckled Warbler (Pyrrholaemus sagittatus), Brown Treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus), Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata) and Painted Button-quail (Turnix varius).

Wetlands and creeks, including Campbells Creek, Cairn Curran Reservoir and the Moolort Plains, support a diversity of wetland birds, including ducks, herons, spoonbills and crakes.

Birdwatching is a popular and rewarding activity enjoyed by both residents and visitors, offering a relaxing way to connect with nature while contributing to awareness and conservation.

With a pair of binoculars and a field guide, anyone can begin exploring the remarkable birdlife of the shire.

Mount Alexander Shire is home to a variety of nocturnal possums and gliders that play important roles in local ecosystems.

The Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and Common Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) are frequently seen in both bushland and urban areas, using tree hollows, roof spaces and dense vegetation for shelter.

The Krefft’s Glider (Petaurus notatus) is a small, agile species capable of gliding up to 30 metres between trees.

It predominately feeds on flowers and the sap of wattle species such as Silver Wattle, which it obtains by chewing through the tough bark.

More elusive are the Eastern Pygmy Possum (Cercartetus nanus) and the Feathertail Glider (Acrobates pygmaeus), both considered locally rare.

The Eastern Pygmy Possum is a tiny, nocturnal marsupial that feeds on nectar from flowering eucalypts and native shrubs.

The Feathertail Glider – Australia’s smallest gliding mammal – uses its feather-like tail and skin membranes to glide between trees in search of nectar and insects.

These species depend on mature, hollow-bearing trees for nesting and shelter, highlighting the importance of preserving old trees, and reconnecting fragmented habitats through revegetation and nest box installation.

Supporting these unique mammals helps maintain the ecological health and biodiversity of the shire’s forests and urban green spaces.

The Bare-nosed Wombat (Vombatus ursinus), also known as the Common Wombat, is a shy, burrowing marsupial found in the eastern part of the shire. It’s particularly found around the Coliban River and adjacent forested areas.

This robust, stocky animal is mostly nocturnal and is well known for its powerful digging ability, using strong claws to construct extensive burrow systems that can be up to 30 metres long.

Bare-nosed Wombats prefer moist, sheltered habitats with access to native grasses and sedges, which form the bulk of their diet.

While relatively common in other parts of Victoria, they are locally restricted within the shire and are rarely seen west of the Calder Freeway.

Wombats face a range of threats, including habitat loss, road collisions and burrow disturbance.

Protecting remnant vegetation, maintaining wildlife corridors and slowing down in wombat crossing areas can help ensure the continued survival of this species in the shire.

Mount Alexander Shire is home to a variety of native bats, which play a vital role in controlling insect populations and supporting ecosystem health.

The most numerous are the microbats – small, insect-eating species that use echolocation to navigate and hunt at night.

These bats roost in tree hollows, old buildings, roof cavities and mineshafts, emerging at dusk to feed on moths, beetles and mosquitoes.

Among them is the Eastern Bent-wing Bat (Miniopterus orianae oceanensis), a threatened species known to roost in historic mineshafts across parts of the shire.

These bats are highly sensitive to disturbance and rely on stable, protected roost sites.

In contrast, the Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) is a large fruit bat that feeds on nectar, pollen and fruit from native and introduced trees.

Since 2024, seasonal camps of Grey-headed Flying Foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) have appeared in the Castlemaine Botanic Gardens, typically during milder periods in spring and autumn.

These large, migratory bats are sensitive to extreme heat and often relocate during the hottest parts of summer to cooler areas closer to the coast.

While sometimes misunderstood, flying foxes are important pollinators and seed dispersers, and their presence reflects the availability of rich food sources in the local environment.

Protecting roosting habitat and reducing light and noise disturbance are key to supporting both microbats and flying foxes in the region.

Mount Alexander Shire is home to several small, native carnivorous marsupials.

The most iconic of these is the Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa), a threatened species known for its bushy black tail and energetic climbing behaviour.

It nests in tree hollows, and forages through the canopy and forest floor for insects and spiders.

Also present are two species of antechinus – the Yellow-footed Antechinus (Antechinus flavipes), which is typically found in drier open woodlands, particularly around Maldon, and the Agile Antechinus (Antechinus agilis), which prefers forested areas with denser understorey.

These mouse-sized marsupials are often mistaken for rodents but are in fact insect-eating mammals with unique life cycles, including the males’ dramatic post-breeding die-off.

The Slender-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis murina) is also known from the region, though it is extremely rare locally, with very few recent records.

Dunnarts are ground-dwelling and highly secretive, requiring intact native groundcover for shelter and hunting.

All of these species depend on a healthy mosaic of native vegetation, fallen timber and hollow logs, highlighting the importance of protecting understorey, dead wood and mature trees throughout the shire.

The waterways of Mount Alexander Shire are slowly recovering after decades of disturbance, particularly from historic alluvial gold mining, which severely degraded habitat and wiped out many native fish populations.

In recent years, small-bodied native fish have begun to recolonise local creeks such as Campbells Creek and Forest Creek.

This is thanks to improved water quality and habitat restoration efforts.

These returning species include the Obscure Galaxias (Galaxias oliros) and Flat-headed Gudgeon (Philypnodon grandiceps).

Cairn Curran Reservoir supports larger fish species such as Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua) and Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii), though these are primarily maintained through stocking for recreational fishing.

Encouragingly, the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) has recently undertaken the reintroduction of endangered species into local creeks and wetlands, including the Southern Pygmy Perch (Nannoperca australis) and the striking Purple-spotted Gudgeon (Mogurnda adspersa). 

Insects are the most diverse group of animals in the shire, playing vital roles in pollination, seed dispersal and soil health.

Despite their ecological significance, there is a major lack of data and formal recording of local insect species, leaving much of this biodiversity under-documented and underappreciated.

The shire is home to a wide variety of native bees, spiders, ants, moths and butterflies. Many of these are closely linked to native vegetation and seasonal flowering cycles.

Notably, the region supports populations of two nationally threatened species: the Eltham Copper Butterfly (Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida), which relies on a highly specialised relationship with Sweet Bursaria shrubs and a species of ant, and the Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana), found in remnant native grassy woodlands and grasslands.

During spring and summer, many butterflies engage in “hill-topping” behaviour, gathering at high points such as The Monk near Chewton and Mount Tarrengower near Maldon as part of their mating rituals.

The shire is home to many species of native bees, most of which are solitary and nest in the ground or in hollow stems. Unlike honeybees, they do not form large hives but are incredibly effective pollinators.

Insect populations face increasing threats from pesticide use, land clearing and inappropriate fire regimes, which can destroy key habitat and food plants.

Planting gardens and nature strips with a diverse range of indigenous flowering plants is a fun and effective way of protecting and enhancing the diversity of insects in your local area.

Mount Alexander Shire supports a fascinating diversity of reptiles, many of which can be spotted basking on rocks, logs or tracks during the warmer months.

Common species include the Jacky Lizard (Amphibolurus muricatus), known for its alert posture and tail-waving display, and the slow-moving but charismatic Eastern Blue-tongue Lizard (Tiliqua scincoides).

The shire’s woodlands and rocky areas also provide habitat for a variety of skink species, including the Large Striped Skink (Ctenotus robustus), Common Garden Skink (Lampropholis guichenoti), White’s Skink (Liopholis whitii) and Bougainville’s Skink (Lerista bougainvillii), a slender, burrowing species rarely seen above ground.

Among the more secretive reptiles is the Thick-tailed Gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii), which shelters under rocks and logs during the day, and emerges at night to hunt for insects.

The region is also home to several highly venomous snakes, including the Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) and Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus), both of which play important roles in controlling rodent populations.

While sightings can be alarming, these snakes generally avoid human interaction and should be left undisturbed. Retaining ground cover, logs and rock piles provides vital shelter for reptiles, and understanding their habits helps people and wildlife coexist safely.

Despite the often dry landscapes, Mount Alexander Shire is home to a diverse range of frog species, many of which can be heard calling after rain from creeks, dams, wetlands and even roadside drains.

Common species in the region include the distinctive Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes dumerili), named for its resonant "bonk" call, the tiny and widespread Common Froglet (Crinia signifera), the Spotted Marsh-frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) and the delicate Southern Brown Tree-frog (Litoria ewingii).

Also present are the Common Spadefoot Toad (Neobatrachus sudelli), Plains Froglet (Crinia parasignifera) and the striking Peron’s Tree-frog (Litoria peronii), which can change colour and is recognised by its loud, cackling call.

Of particular conservation significance is the Bibron’s Toadlet (Pseudophryne bibronii), a small, ground-dwelling species that is listed as threatened in Victoria. It breeds in shallow depressions and temporary pools, and is threatened by habitat loss, soil compaction and inappropriate burning, which can destroy its nesting sites.

The shire supports one of the largest concentrations of this species in Victoria.

Protecting areas of native understorey vegetation and maintaining natural water flows is essential for the survival of frog species across the shire.