Far north Queensland is a paradise full of oversized wildlife
IT’S a paradise full of pristine beaches, undisturbed coastline and wildlife that can grow up to 10 metres long. But this no movie, this is nature tropical style.
IT IS a picture perfect paradise full of pristine beaches, undisturbed coastline and monster animals that can grow up to 10 metres long.
This isn’t a Hollywood film set, this is nature, far north Queensland style.
From massive spiders to moths the size of dinner plates, travellers to our tropical north are treated to sights that can’t be seen anywhere else.
But it’s not the tropical sun that’s creating these monster mammals - animals in the far north are growing to these epic sizes thanks to a lack of predators and limited interaction with humans.
For example the isolated and pristine Mission Beach area is home to endangerd cassowaries — a prehistoric looking bird that’s slightly smaller than an emu.
The birds are usually shy and gentle but have been known to attack when provoked, and can cause serious damage when they come into contact with humans.
Staff at exclusive Mission Beach resort The Elandra regularly spot the creatures around the property.
One staff member told news.com.au the area has “animals that look like they’re on steroids”.
But the good news is while some of these animals may seem scary, they’re usually pretty harmless.
Distinguished Research Professor and Australian Laureate Bill Laurance said it was smaller wildlife such as cane toads, red-belly black snakes and the death adder which people should look out for.
Professor Laurance, whose area of expertise is biology and conservation, said it was the insects and reptiles which grow to comparatively massive sizes and dominate the north Queensland landscape.
“We certainly have big insects and spiders here” he said.
“The tarantulas are big, walking stick insects can grow up to a foot long and then there are hawk moths which can grow to the size of dinner plates.”
Prof Laurance said the Australian bush python could grow up to 10 metres long, and he had even caught one which measured 5.5m.
In 2011, an 18.5kg snake was finally caught at Yorkeys Knob after eluding snake catchers for months.
The large female had threatened to bring down the roof of the Hekili Outrigger Canoe Club which she had called home.
Not even the charms of Bondi vet Dr Chris Brown could lure the beast, or her five male friends, from her comfy home.
Prof. Laurance said one reason the python grew so big in north Queensland was because it lives in a fairly isolated part of the world with limited human contact and few predators.
But as more Aussies move further north and invade the python’s homeland, its numbers are being depleted.
On the other hand, the cane toad, which is one of the nation’s biggest pests, continues to grow thanks to a lack of predators, increased food sources and its ability to outnumber parasites.
This writer travelled courtesy of The Elandra Mission Beach