Australia is lucky enough to have a fauna field guide for each state and territory (the image below is of the app I use for the Australian Capital Territory). Museums Victoria developed them and they are practical, user friendly and much easier to carry around then a text book! They are also free which I think is clever because it allows more people to learn about our wildlife.
From the Google PlayStore:
Explore the fauna of Australia’s capital in the Field Guide to Australian Capital Territory Fauna app. The app features over 400 species, including mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles, frogs and invertebrates.
Each species profile contains a detailed description, beautiful photographs, a distribution map and the animal’s endangered status. You can even listen to the calls of frogs, birds, possums, koalas, and many other animals.
The app can be used anywhere, from your backyard or school, to your favourite national park or wetland. We’ve put in a lot of species, but it’s still only a fraction of the complete fauna of the ACT. Our scientists will continue to add species over time.
I use the app all the time. Do you use one of the Aussie apps or do you have one for where you live?
September 20, 2019 at 8:22 pm
Oh WOW this is amazing and such a good idea!!! I don’t think we have anything like that here
October 23, 2019 at 8:50 pm
I think they are brilliant. They have been around for a few years in Oz, but I am surprised how many people aren’t aware of them.
September 21, 2019 at 12:41 am
That is pretty lucky, to have that guide available. Especially for nature walks.
October 23, 2019 at 8:51 pm
It’s brilliant for walks, Jacqui. I was on one with the Barbarians’ scout troop and we came across a mouse spider ( https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/spiders/mouse-spiders/ ). It was great to be able to look it up straight away.
September 21, 2019 at 8:39 am
Looks like it’s available in the Apple App Store too! The download is rather big, though, so I might wait till I get to the library and use their free wifi.
October 23, 2019 at 8:52 pm
Clever thinking, Sue. I hope you’ve been able to get it and have found it as cool as I think it is.
September 21, 2019 at 10:03 am
What a great thing to have. I have no idea if there is one for these parts. There should be.
October 23, 2019 at 8:53 pm
Everywhere should have one of these. I hadn’t realised how unique it seems to be to Australia. Hopefully other places will follow suit.