What Is the National Animal of Australia?

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Australia has not adopted an official national animal, but has designated the red kangaroo and the emu as Australia’s “native animals.” These two species appear on its shield, the Commonwealth Coat of Arms.

The kangaroo and the emu are considered Australia’s unofficial national mammal and unofficial national bird, respectively. While they have not been adopted by the government as officially designated symbols, they are honored as “native animals that hold the shield with pride.” Both are native to Australia and widely associated with the country, which may be why they are often mistakenly attributed as the official national mammal and bird.