Native Animal Species and their Use In traditional times Wiradjuri Country abounded with native animals of all kinds. Many of the mammals were small marsupials, which have either now become extinct or greatly reduced in number. These included possums (brush tails, ring tail and pygmy), large marsupials (grey kangaroo and black wallaby), antechinus, bats, squirrel glider, wombat, koala and bilby. Species of bandicoot, dunnarts, planigale, numbat, quoll, bettong, native mice and rats including the water rat were also present.(18,19) Reptiles and amphibians included eastern brown and black bellied, tiger and carpet snakes, Gould's goanna, lace monitor, (common goanna), lizards, skinks, geckos, turtles and frogs. The monotremes, the echidna and platypus were common. The dingo was present both in the wild state and domesticated as a hunting dog and companion. Most of these animals were used as a meat supply with some providing skins for cloaks, rugs, water carriers, decorative and ceremonial purposes. Fur, sinews and bone were used for sewing and binding. The following table lists some of the common animals and what they were used for. Where they lived is shown in Cultural Landscapes Profile. No.2b.
No.17 Black or Swamp Wallaby - A shy observer Flakney Range - c1998
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