Select an object from the list. It will open in a new window. You can examine it using these commands:
You will need the Quicktime player
In Australia, the Green Turtle is found along the tropical northern coast. It grows up to one metre long. The female lays about 100 small round eggs. When they hatch, the young are shiny black and are carnivorous. The adults usually only eat plant material.
Green Turtle shell
High-quality (449k)
Low-quality (130k)
Green Turtle skull
High-quality (282k)
Low-quality (103k)
Pied Currawongs are found in eastern Australia from Cape York to south-western Victoria. This specimen has been taxidermied (stuffed). One side has been left open to demonstrate how an animal is preserved and mounted for display. Inside you can still see the bird's skull, but the soft parts of the body have been removed (including the eyes) and replaced with coconut fibres, cotton wool and wire. The new eye is made of glass. The legs and beak are painted to look lifelike.
Pied Currawong
High-quality (229k)
Low-quality (86k)
This turban shell is found in the Indo-Pacific region near coral reefs. In some areas it is collected to provide mother-of-pearl for jewellery and buttons. Turbo marmoratus is the biggest species of turban shell in the world.
Turban shell
High-quality (235k)
Low-quality (85k)
The Sydney Funnel-web is one of the most venomous spiders in the world. There is an effective anti-venom, which means that a bite from a Sydney Funnel-web is no longer as dangerous as it used to be. The male Sydney Funnel-web is more toxic than the female. Males are smaller than females and have a large spur on the second leg which is used in mating. Funnel-webs have long finger-like spinnerets (silk organs), which are clearly visible when the spider is viewed from above. More information about funnel-webs can be found on the Spiders website.
Sydney Funnel-web Spider
High-quality (336k)
Low-quality (100k)
Gypsum belongs to the group of minerals called sulphates. It occurs in many colours and can be granular (rough) or fibrous (smooth). Rosette-shaped pieces of gypsum like this specimen are often called Desert Roses.
Gypsum (Desert Rose)
High-quality (399k)
Low-quality (119k)
This is the test (shell) of a sea urchin. These are often found washed up on the beach. When the sea urchin is alive the test is covered in moveable spines attached to muscular ball-and-socket joints. Depending on the species, the spines can be long or short, thick or thin and come in many different colours. Urchins feed mainly on seaweed and algae, but some also eat small animals such as molluscs.
Sea urchin
High-quality (247k)
Low-quality (94k)
An Australian Museum Website
Copyright © Australian Museum 2003
