Table Of Content

Australia Features Six Native Animals On January 13 Australia Post issued a set of Native nutritional and caloric content, they are largely sedentary Animals stamps that feature five Australian marsupials and and sleep for up to 20 hours a day. one monotreme that are popular with locals and tourists. The Numbat is a small, striped marsupial confined in Monotremes are mam- the wild to the south-west mals that lay eggs instead of of Western Australia. Its giving birth to live young. diet consists almost exclu- The monotreme featured sively of termites. Once in this issue—the Short- widespread across south- beaked Echidna—feeds ern Australia, its range is largely on ants and termites now restricted to several and is found throughout small colonies, and it is Australia. The only other monotreme is the Platypus. listed as an endangered species. The numbat is an em- The stocky Common Wombat is found in the cooler blem of Western Australia and protected by conservation and better watered parts of programs. southern and eastern Aus- The Tasmanian Devil tralia, including Tasmania, is a carnivorous marsupial, and in mountain districts now found in the wild only as far north as the south of on the Australian island Queensland, but is declin- state of Tasmania. The size ing in Western Victoria and of a small dog, it is the larg- South Australia. est carnivorous marsupial in The Eastern grey kangaroo is the second largest the world, and is character- and heaviest living marsu- ized by its stocky and muscular build, black fur, pungent pial and native land mam- odor, extremely loud and disturbing screech, keen sense of mal in Australia. An adult smell, and ferocity when feeding. male will commonly weigh The stamps and related products were designed by around 110 to 145 pounds Sharon Rodziewicz of the Australia Post Design Studio. and can be more than six The stamps were printed using a multicolor lithography feet tall. process. The Koala lives in eu- Other products associated with this stamp issue include calyptus forests along the a first day cover, stamp pack, set of maxicards, booklets of eastern seaboard. It is easily 10 and 20 stamps, stamp pack and a presentation pack that recognizable by its stout, includes an exclusive perforated sheetlet. tailless body; round, fluffy The new Australia Native Animals issue is available ears; and large, spoon- at www.auspost.com.au/stamps or contact Australia Stamp shaped nose. Because this Agency in North America toll free (USA and Canada) at eucalypt diet has limited 1-800-443-4225 while stocks last.