Tag Archives: Australia

Witchetty Grub

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Witchetty Grub

Hooked Stick Grub

  • Witchetty grubs are also known as witchety grubs or witjuti grubs.
  • The term witchetty grub is used for large white larvae of moths that chew through wood and eat roots or sap of certain trees and plants.
  • The most common type of witchetty grub is the larvae of the Cossid Moth.
  • Witchetty grubs are part of the traditional diet of indigenous Australians.
  • Witchetty grubs are eaten either raw or cooked and are very high in protein and have a nutty flavour.  They have been said to taste like scrambled eggs, and when cooked they taste like chicken.

Witchetty Grub, Dessert, Orange Head, White Bug, Larvea, Australia, Ten Random Facts, Sun

Witchetty Grub
Image courtesy of Nathan Johnson/Flickr
  • The word ‘witchetty grub’ comes from the indigenous Australian language, Adnyamathanha, from the words ‘wityu‘ meaning hooked stick and ‘vartus‘ meaning grub.
  • The witchetty bush (acacia kempeanas) is the main food of certain witchetty grubs.
  • The witchetty grub can grow up to 12 cm (4.7 inches) in size.
  • Witchetty grubs live in burrows that they create, up to 60 cm (23 inches) underground.
  • Witchetty grub moths have a wingspan of up to 16cm (6 inches) and don’t eat, but instead use stored energy from the grub form.
Bibliography:
Witchetty Grub n.d, Bush Tucker, <http://library.untamedgroup.com/entry/bush-tucker/103/>

Crepe Myrtle

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Crepe Myrtle

It flowers and makes you gasp.

  • Crepe myrtle are deciduous or evergreen, flowering trees or shrubs and are among the best flowering trees.
  • Crepe myrtle is also known as the crape myrtle, and its scientific name is Lagerstroemia.
  • There are approximately 50 species of crepe myrtle.
  • The crepe myrtle is native to south east Asia and northern parts of Australia and Oceania.
  • The crepe myrtle is part of the Lythracae family, also known as loosestrife.

Crepe Myrtle, Pink and White Flowers, Branches, Tree, Small, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Crepe myrtle derives its name from the crepe like look and texture of the flowers.
  • Most crepe myrtles shed their bark during the year.
  • Different species of crepe myrtle can be as little as 30 cm (1 foot) in height and can be as tall as 30 m (100 feet).
  • The colour of crepe myrtle flowers come in almost any shade of purple, pink, red or white.
  • Crepe myrtles are popular due to their long lasting flowers, which bloom in Summer and Autumn.
Bibliography:
Lagerstroemia 7 December 2012, Wikipedia,
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagerstroemia>

Goanna

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Goanna

Go Anna!!

  • There are 30 known species of goanna, 25 which are found in Australia.
  • Goannas are Australian monitor lizards from the species group ‘Varanus’ which also includes some lizards from South East Asia.
  • Goannas are carnivores, and generally have large, sharp teeth and claws, and range from 20 cm (7.9 inches) to over 2 metres (65 feet, 7 inchs) in length.
  • Although many lizards can regrow their broken tail or limbs, a goanna can’t.
  • Goannas are generally good swimmers but generally don’t spend much time near water (with exceptions of water goannas).
Lace Monitar, Goanna, Lizard, Queensland, Australia, Ten Random Facts, Janowen Hills 4WD Park
  • Goannas typically eat insects, small lizards, mammals, birds and eggs.
  • Recent studies on monitor lizards suggest goannas are venomous.
  • Goannas are generally shy and timid, and are generally afraid of humans.  They have long been a source of food for indigenous Australians.
  • Goannas usually lay 5-6 eggs in a nest.
  • Goannas can rear up on their hind legs, run fast and are good tree climbers.
Bibliography:
Goanna 31 October 2012, Wikipedia, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goanna>

Uluru

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Uluru

One hot rock formation, more fascinating than these facts!

  • Uluru is a famous, mostly sandstone rock in Northern Territory, Central Australia.
  • The traditional owners of Uluru are the Pitjantjatjara and the Anangu Anangu.
  • Uluru is also known as Ayers Rock, named after Sir Henry Ayers.
  • There has been approximately 150 bird, 46 mammal, 73 reptile and 400 plant and flora species sited at or near Uluru.
  • It is possible to climb Uluru but it is requested that you refrain from doing so by the indigenous Australians due to spiritual and safety reasons.

Uluru Sunset, Sedimentry Rock, World Heritage, Orange, Igneous Australians, Ayers Rock, Aboriginals, Northern Territory Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • Uluru is a world heritage site and as a result, attracts more than 400,000 visitors a year.
  • Uluru is 348 meters high (1142 feet) and is 863 meters (2831 feet) above sea level.
  • The average rainfall at Uluru is 284.6 ml (11.2 inches) yearly.
  • The average temperature at Uluru is 37.8°C (100°F).
  •  35 deaths have occurred from climbing Uluru, and many injuries sustained due to harsh landscape and climates.
Bibliography:
Uluru 31 October 2012, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uluru>

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