Spooky animal encounters in Sydney this Halloween

Bush-stone Curlew

Was that the wailing woman? No, that was Noname our Bush-stone Curlew. During breeding season these Australian birds release a spine-curling wail as a warning to keep others away from their territory. As a nocturnal species, they are most active at night. Meaning if you are creeping through the bush this Halloween and hear the ghostly scream, you may have entered their territory. 

*Can be found in Kangaroo Walkabout 

Tasmanian Devils

Is someone chewing loudly what haunts your dreams? The Tasmanian Devil is a scavenger, hunting for their food at night. While on the prowl, they make eerie howls and feast together on what they find. While feasting on the carcass, they all release harsh screeching and ferocious howls, that can be heard far and wide. 

*Can be found in Devils Den 

Yellow-bellied Gliders

As the sun sets and you settle into bed, you may hear a range of unnerving growls, shrieks, rattles and gurgles. No, your house is not haunted, but it may have a few Yellow-bellied Gliders in the trees outside. This Australian marsupial is quite a chatty creature and has a broad range of creepy calls as they growl to communicate with each other. 

*Can be found in Nightfall

Funnel Web Spiders

As you step outside Halloween morning, you may notice the ghostly, white webs covering the ground. These irregular 'trip-lines' cover the entrance to the Funnel Web Spiders burrow beneath. Made of silk, these webs act as an early warning system for the Spider waiting just inside the dark entrance. When a beetle, cockroach, or small insect walks across the lines, the Funnel Web Spider will sense the vibrations and quickly spring out and trap it's prey. 

*Can be found at the Treehouse 

Goodfellow Tree Kangaroo

Don't let this sweet face fool you, behind the mask Kofi, our resident Goodfellow Tree Kangaroo is a trickster. From jumping around our keepers as they clean his enclosure, to throwing things at the Echidna's who live on the ground beneath him. This cheeky fellow keeps everyone on their toes. However like most he has a sweet tooth. When the keepers feed him some of his favourite sweet treats; from fruits to the sweetest flowers, he turns from trickster to a mellow fellow. 

*Can be found in Tricky Tongues & Treetops 

Black-headed Python

Did you feel a shiver down your spine? Have goosebumps just appeared on your arms? You could just be cold; lucky for the Black-headed Python, they can regulate body temperature. Black cats may be unlucky, but for the Black-headed Python their heads are very lucky! Their shiny, black heads can extend outside their burrow, while the rest of their body remains covered to heat up. When they need to cool down, they may bury their heads in the sand. Maybe black is only unlucky for some. 

*Can be found in Nightfall