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Mulgara

Dasycercus spp. (e.g., D. blythi; D. cristicauda)

RodentsLongevity varies: brush‑tailed mulgaras are often reported to live up to ~3 years in the wild (up to ~5 in captivity), while other sources report mulgaras living to around ~6 years in the wild.

The name “mulgara” refers to small desert‑dwelling carnivorous marsupials in the genus Dasycercus. Modern treatments commonly r···

Mountain Pygmy Possum

Burramys parvus

MammalWild females have been recorded living for more than 12 years, unusually long for such a small mammal.

The mountain pygmy possum (Burramys parvus) is a tiny, mouse‑sized marsupial and one of Australia’s most iconic alpine mammals. ···

Mountain Brushtail Possum

Trichosurus cunninghami

RodentsWild individuals can reach at least 12 years of age, making them relatively long‑lived for a marsupial.

The mountain brushtail possum, also known as the southern bobuck, is a nocturnal marsupial native to forests of south‑eastern Aus···

Solomon Islands Monkey-faced Bats

Pteralopex spp

ChiropteraLifespan is poorly documented for most species and is often reported as unknown in public summaries.

“Monkey‑faced bats” are a group of large fruit bats found only in the Solomon Islands. They belong to the genus Pteralopex and ···

Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata (common/northern minke whale) / Balaenoptera bonaerensis (Antarctic minke whale)

CetaceaOften reported lifespan is up to about 50 years.

“Minke whale” is a widely used common name for the smallest and most widespread rorquals in the family Balaenopteridae. In many ···

Long-nosed Bandicoot

Perameles nasuta

MammalWild lifespan is not well established; captive records reach about 5.6 years.

The long‑nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) is a medium‑sized marsupial native to eastern Australia. It is best known for its lo···

Long-nosed Potoroo

Potorous tridactylus

RodentsWild lifespan is usually a few years and can reach ~7 years; captive individuals may live longer.

The long‑nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) is a small marsupial native to south‑eastern Australia and Tasmania. It looks a li···

Longmans Beaked Whale

Indopacetus pacificus

CetaceaLifespan is poorly known and is often reported as unknown due to the rarity of encounters.

Longman’s beaked whale (Indopacetus pacificus)—also called the “tropical bottlenose whale” or “Indo‑Pacific beaked whale”—···

Leopard Seal

Hydrurga leptonyx

CarnivoraLongevity is estimated at 26+ years; some records suggest individuals can approach ~30 years.

The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) is one of Antarctica’s iconic apex predators. Named for its spotted, leopard‑like patternin···

Large-eared Flying-fox

Pteropus macrotis

ChiropteraLongevity is poorly documented; it is often assumed to be similar to other fruit bats (potentially 10+ years), depending on conditions.

The large‑eared flying‑fox (Pteropus macrotis), also called the big‑eared flying fox, is an Old World fruit bat in the flying‑···

Koala

Phascolarctos cinereus

MammalAverage wild lifespan is about 10–12 years; females may live to ~18 years in favourable conditions, while males are usually shorter‑lived.

The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), sometimes called the “koala bear,” is an iconic marsupial endemic to Australia. It lives mos···

Killer Whale

Orcinus orca

CetaceaMales average ~30 years (up to at least ~60); females average ~50 years (up to at least ~90).

The killer whale (Orcinus orca), also known as the orca, is the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family and one of the ocean’···

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

CetaceaLifespan is measured in decades and can approach or exceed ~80 years under favourable conditions.

The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is one of the best‑known large baleen whales, famous for its very long pectoral fins,···

House Mouse

Mus musculus

RodentsIn the wild many do not survive beyond ~12–18 months; in captivity the average is ~2 years, with some longer-lived individuals.

The house mouse (Mus musculus) is one of the most widespread mammals on Earth and is closely associated with human settlements. It···

Hectors Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon hectori

CetaceaPoorly known; likely several decades, but age at maturity and calving interval are not well established.

Hector’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon hectori) is one of the least-known whales on Earth. It is a deep‑diving beaked whale from the ···

Hastings River Mouse

Pseudomys oralis

RodentsPrecise wild lifespan is poorly known; likely a few years, with recovery depending on stable habitat and low predation pressure.

The Hastings River mouse (Pseudomys oralis) is a native Australian rodent with a patchy, restricted distribution along parts of th···

Greater Bilby

Macrotis lagotis

MammalUsually lives for several years in the wild (often around 5–7 years), and may live longer in well-managed, low-threat sites.

The greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is one of Australia’s most iconic native marsupials, instantly recognisable by its long rabb···

Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale

Mesoplodon ginkgodens

CetaceaLikely measured in decades (as with many beaked whales), but precise estimates are uncertain due to limited long-term data.

The ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) is an elusive deep-diving toothed whale in the beaked whale family (Ziphii···

Flying Foxes

Pteropus spp. (family Pteropodidae; e.g., Pteropus alecto, P. poliocephalus)

ChiropteraMany species can live around 10–20 years, and some large species may live longer under favourable conditions.

“Flying foxes” are large fruit bats, most famously the species in the genus Pteropus. They have a fox-like face with a longer sn···

Feathertail Glider

Acrobates pygmaeus

MammalWild lifespan is usually a few years (often around 3–5 years), with occasional longer records under favourable conditions.

The feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) is one of Australia’s smallest marsupials and is widely regarded as the world’s smal···

False Killer Whale

Pseudorca crassidens

CetaceaCan live for many decades; females often live longer than males, and some individuals may exceed 60 years.

The false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) is a large oceanic dolphin with a sleek dark body, a blunt rounded head and no obvio···

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Macropus giganteus

MammalWild lifespan commonly reaches about 10–20 years, influenced by drought, disease, predation on young and human impacts such as road mortality.

The eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is one of Australia’s most familiar large kangaroos and a classic image of the con···

Eastern Pygmy Possum

Cercartetus nanus

MammalWild lifespan is typically a few years, often around 3–4 years, depending on predation and habitat conditions.

The eastern pygmy possum (Cercartetus nanus) is a tiny nocturnal marsupial of south-eastern Australia, often no bigger than a huma···

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Macropus giganteus

CarnivoraWild lifespan commonly reaches about 10–20 years, influenced by drought, disease, predation on young and human impacts such as road mortality.

The eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is one of Australia’s most familiar large kangaroos and a classic image of the con···

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