Australian Bush Babies
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Technical Details Issue date: 1 July 2009Issue withdrawal date: TBA FDI withdrawal date: 29 July 2009 Denominations: 1 x $1.45, 1 x $2.10, 1 x $2.90, 1 x $4.20 Designer: Adam Crapp Printer: McKellar Paper (gummed): Tullis Russell Paper (self-adhesive): B100 Printing process: Lithography Stamp size: 37.5mm x 26mm and 26mm x 37.5mm Perforations: 13.86 x 14.6 Sheet layout: 2 x 25 stamps per module, 200 per sheet National postmark: Gumly Gumly, NSW 2652 |
This stamp issue features four species of some of the most popular Australian marsupials and their young.
The four marsupials featured on the stamps are:
- Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
- Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)
- Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
- Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus)
The Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) is a large kangaroo (males can weigh up to 70 kilograms) second in size only to the Red Kangaroo and is the only kangaroo species found in Tasmania.
The Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecular) is familiar to many urban dwelling people as it has successfully adapted to life in highly populated areas. Its natural habitat extends over much of Australia, from rainforests to dry eucalypt woodlands.
One of Australia's iconic animals, the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is found in the eastern Australian states excluding Tasmania. Koalas spend most of their life in eucalypt trees which also provide the species' entire diet.
Like the Koala the Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) has a backward-opening pouch. It is found in south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Its habitat is varied, ranging from coastal forest to alpine woodland and grassland. Wombats build burrows, leaving a mound of excavated earth outside the entrance. Gestation lasts a month.
