Kangaroo crossing

Marg and Tony Dunn have only been EstuaryWatchers for just over a year and have already seen it all!!

Late last year the couple reported seeing a tiger snake swimming across the estuary close to their monitoring site on Painkalac Creek.  This species of snake is often found close to water feeding on fish, frogs, lizards, birds and small mammals.  According to Museum Australia,  the tiger snake will search for prey  under water and can stay under for at least 9 minutes.

In May it was most exciting to receive Marg and Tony’s data sheet.  The notes section read “ Large kangaroo swimming across the creek!”.  Eastern Grey Kangaroos are often seen grazing on the floodplain adjacent to Painkalac Creek.  This species belongs to a small group of mammals called macropods.  Surprisingly, for animals that spend most of their time on dry land, kangaroos are also good swimmers, using their large hind legs and tail to propel them through the water.

Looking forward to hearing of future animal crossings at Marg and Tony's EstuaryWatch site on Painkalac Creek.  We might have to rename their site “Kangaroo crossing”.

Written by Rose Herben,  Corangamite CMA