The Otway Fly Tree Top Walk - Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

Over 50 species of land mammals including nine exotics have been recorded in the Otway Ranges.

Platypus and Short-beaked Echidna: the only egg-laying mammals, or Monotremes, in Australia, are relatively common in the Otway Ranges. Catch a lucky glimpse of our shy resident Platypus as you cross Young’s Creek. Echidnas may be met along any roads through the Otways.

Carnivorous marsupials : Eight species of small, carnivorous marsupials have been found in the region, but one of these - the Eastern Quoll or Native Cat - is extinct. The larger, Spot-tailed Quoll or Tiger Cat, remains, but it is rare.

Possums: Common Ringtail possums are usually found in the under-storey shrubs. Sugar Gliders and the large Yellow-bellied Gliders use tree-hollows, and Feather-tailed Gliders and Eastern Pygmy-possums (pictured) are also forest dwellers. The Common Brushtail possum is widespread.

Pouched-mice: Antechinus and dunnart are the two groups of mammals once referred to as pouched-mice. The Brown Antechinus is by far the most plentiful of the five species that inhabit the Otway Ranges.

Bandicoot: Two species of bandicoot live in the Otways. The Southern Brown prefers heathland, while the Long-nosed Bandicoot occurs in wetter country.

Wombat: The Common Wombat is found in high-rainfall forests in eastern Victoria, but did not establish populations in the Otways. Up until the 1950s there was a small colony near Barwon Downs.

Koalas: Koalas are found in several parts of the Otways including the Grey River reserve and near the Parker River mouth.

Wallaby and Kangaroo: Red-necked Wallaby and Eastern Grey Kangaroo show a habitat preference for the more open woodlands, but the Black Wallaby will be found throughout the ranges.

The shy little Long-nosed Potoroo is reasonably plentiful in heathlands and forest.

Water Rat: The Water Rat is the largest of the six species of native rodents found in the Otways. Much rarer, the Broad-toothed Rat is one of our most enigmatic mammals. Bush Rats and Swamp Rats are common in the forests. The New Holland Mouse is confined to areas near Anglesea.

The Stowaways: There are nine introduced stowaways in the Otways, including the House Mouse, Black Rat, Feral Cat, European Rabbit, Brown Hare and Red Fox.