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Ferns are an ancient group of plants that need a very moist environment in which to reproduce. They disperse by tiny dust-like spore that are released from sporophylls, small structures that are usually found on the underside of the frond (leaf). As would be expected from the wettest part of Australia, the highest diversity of ferns on the continent is in the north-eastern Queensland 'wet tropics'. Thus, ferns are a very obvious and dominant part of the tropical rainforest.

 Many are small and cling to the side of the road creating gardens in the gullies where the moisture is retained, while others grow into the most majestic of plants in the forest. Indeed, there are simply too many ferns to list them all here, and so just some of the larger, more interesting or attractive ferns are presented in family alphabetical order.

fern
Underside of a fern frond showing sporangia
  

Tree ferns 

Amongst the prettiest of ferns are the 'tree ferns' belonging to several different families, but mainly Cyatheaceae in the Daintree lowlands. They are true ferns that grow a single tall stalk, like a tree, thus the name 'tree fern'. Being attractive means they often serve as a symbol for the tropical rainforests around the world, but can in fact be just as common in the cooler subtropical and temperate rainforests of the southern hemisphere. Most of the tree ferns around the warmer north Queensland lowlands will belong to the genus Cyathea, with 'Rebecca's Tree Fern', Cyathea rebeccae being particularly common. This rather thin tree fern often retains the old branches that hang down as thin brown straps underneath the current green fronds.

tree fern
Tree Fern
 

 
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Birds

Pelicans
Pelican
Pelican
The seven species of Pelican can be found wherever there is water, all around the world. They are all huge, instantly recognizable birds, with large bills and big webbed feet. They are usually white, with additions of yellow, pink, grey and/or black. Pelicans feed mainly on fish. The bottom of the bill is extremely elastic and can carry large prey. When it is fully distended, pelicans have a larger bill than any other bird. Even though they look awkward on land, they are graceful swimmers. They are also magnificent fliers, and have been found at heights of 3000 metres. The Australian Pelican is Australia’s largest flying bird, with a wingspan of almost three and a half meters. It can be found wherever there is water all around Australia and New Guinea, being especially common around estuaries. Like many other pelicans around the world, they can become quite tame, and can be found hanging around fishing jetties and taking handouts. When not breeding, they are often nomadic, having been recorded in New Zealand when there are droughts in Australia.
 

Mammals

Fruit Bats and Flying Fox
The latter group includes the old world flying foxes and is quite different from the 'micro-bats' Like the 'insect bats', these animals usually roost communally, hanging upside down. Unlike their smaller relatives, however, they tend not to sleep in dark places, but roost hanging off trees.
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