Painted Dragon
Ctenophorus pictus
This small lizard can move quickly over short distances. It is alert with good eyesight which it uses to catch its prey of ants and other insects.
Which zodiac animal are you?
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Dragon
Passionate and courageous
Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Dragons are strong and independent figures, but yearn for support and love. They are serious in what they do and are steadfast in their beliefs. They never slack off on responsibilities.
Rabbit
Gentle and clever
Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
The Rabbit’s quiet personality hides their confidence and strength. They have good reasoning skills and attention to detail. They enjoy surprises every so often, to spice up life.
White-footed Rabbit Rat
Conilurus albipes
The white-footed rabbit-rat is an extinct species of rodent, originally found in woodlands from Adelaide to Sydney. It had long, soft fur. It was preyed on by foxes and cats.
2023 is the Year of the Cat in the Vietnamese Lunar New Year zodiac.
Tiger
Adventurous and outspoken
Years: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Tigers are courageous and active people who love a good challenge and adventure. Tigers are kind and benevolent. No matter how many difficulties they face, they never give up.
Tiger Quoll
Dasyurus maculatus
This native marsupial hunts and eats insects, birds, lizards and mammals. They live in forests in eastern Australia including Tasmania. They are active at night and sleep in a hollow log or rock crevice during the day.
Snake
Intuitive and sensual
YEARS: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Snakes have deep and complex minds. When they love, they love with their whole heart. You cannot judge a snake by its cover - behind their calmness, they are alert and observant.
Tiger Snake
Notechis scutatus
This native snake is a great survivor often found near creeks, dams and wetlands. It eats fish, frogs, tadpoles, lizards, birds and mammals that it catches and subdues with its powerful venom.
Horse
Witty and impulsive
Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Horses are free spirits who need space to be themselves. They have lots of energy. Rather than chasing wealth and fame, they are motivated to find happiness.
Shorthead Seahorse
Hippocampus breviceps
This well-camouflaged seahorse hides in seaweed in Port Phillip Bay. The male has a special pouch for holding 50-100 embryos to grow for three weeks before giving birth!
Goat
Charming and compassionate
Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Goats are loving and selfless, always thinking about others. Quiet observers, Goats consider all aspects of something before deciding. They are strong and resilient.
Wattle Goat Moth
Endoxyla encalypti
The caterpillars get the name ‘goat’ from their unpleasant smell. The caterpillars feed on wattles, boring into the wood. The moths are large with a 10cm wingspan.
Monkey
Confident and humorous
Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Monkeys’ most defining trait is their intelligence. Sometimes they are arrogant and competitive, but more often they are light-hearted pranksters. They learn from their mistakes and are optimistic.
Sulawesi Crested Macaque
Macaca nigra
This monkey mostly eats fruit. It typically lives in groups of five to twenty-five animals. It is not found in Australia but comes from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
Rooster
Talented and capable
Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Roosters are complex people who seem strong but, deep down, need support and encouragement from loved ones. They are decisive, they try hard and so achieve success.
Rooster Fish
Regalecus glesne
Also known as the Oarfish, it grows 8 meters long and is the longest bony fish known. It lives in the open ocean where it feeds on planktonic animals such as krill.
Dog
Cooperative and likable
Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Honest and loyal, Dogs are true friends. They are popular and often asked for advice and help. Inside they may be feeling anxious but once they decide on something they become very determined.
Wild dog, Dingo
Canis familiaris
The Dingo is Australia's wild dog. It was probably introduced to Australia by Asian seafarers about 4,000 years ago. Dingos prey on rabbits, kangaroos, wallabies and wombats.
Pig
Creative and curious
Years: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Pigs are energetic, creative and enthusiastic. They let themselves enjoy life and love entertainment. They are a bit materialistic, but this is motivation for them to work hard.
Pig-footed Bandicoot
Chaeropus ecaudatus
This extinct marsupial walked on the tips of its toes as pigs do. It lived in dry inland areas where sheep, cattle and the lack of Aboriginal burning caused many changes to its habitat.
Rat
Inventive and quick
Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Optimistic and energetic, people born in the year of the Rat are liked by all. They are clever, quick thinkers who are content living a quiet and peaceful life.
Water Rat or Rakali
Hydromys chrysogaster
This native rat is an excellent swimmer with thick waterproof fur. It feeds on insects, mussels, yabbies, frogs and birds. Rakali can be spotted in Melbourne at St Kilda Pier.
Ox
Honest and observant
Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Oxen are honest and they never look for praise. This hides their talent, but they gain recognition through their hard work. They think logically and make great leaders.
Ox
Bos taurus
Cattle used as a working animals are called oxen or bullocks in Australia. Bullock teams were valuable because they could pull heavy loads in difficult situations.
Image credits
Water Rat or Rakali, Hydromys chrysogaster - Artist: John Gould, Lithographer: H.C. Richter, Source: Museums Victoria
Ox, Bos taurus – Project Gutenberg
Tiger Quoll, Dasyurus maculatus – Artist: Charles Alexander Lesueu, Source: Museums Victoria
White-footed Rabbit Rat, Conilurus albipes – Artist: John Gould, Lithographer: H.C. Richter, Source: Museums Victoria
Painted Dragon, Ctenophorus pictus – Artist: Sir Walter Baldwin Spencer, Source: Museums Victoria
Rooster Fish, Regalecus glesne – Artist: John Gould, Lithographer: H.C. Richter, Source: Museums Victoria
Tiger Snake, Notechis scutatus – Artist: Arthur Bartholomew, Source: Museums Victoria
Shorthead Seahorse, Hippocampus breviceps –Artist: Ludwig Becker, Source: Museums Victoria
Wattle Goat Moth, Endoxyla encalypti – Artist: Arthur Bartholomew, Source: Museums Victoria
Sulawesi Crested Macaque, Macaca nigra – Source: Museums Victoria (Artist: Unknown)
Wild dog, Dingo, Canis familiaris – Artist: John Gould, Lithographer: H.C. Richter, Source: Museums Victoria
Pig-footed Bandicoot, Chaeropus ecaudatus – Artist: John Gould, Lithographer: H.C. Richter, Source: Museums Victoria