During the day we have an endless stream of butterflies fluttering past the deck and through our gardens. The stunning iridescent blue Ulysses Butterfly is the most common,
but we also get a myriad of smaller species and the majestic Cairns Birdwing, especially when the Ice Cream Bean trees are in flower outside the kitchen window, which is
most of the year. This is a bird watchers paradise with a huge number of different species that can be spotted at different times of the year.
The Eastern Water Dragon family are often spotted sunning themselves on the rocks below the deck during the day. These are medium sized lizards which are very timid but great jumpers and scurry across the rocks at great speed.
Boyd’s Forest Dragon is more difficult to see, but they are around our property. They pose perfectly still on the side of trees. These arboreal lizards are native to the Daintree Rainforest and only found in North Queensland.
Frogs are semi-regular visitors on the verandah, both the white lipped green tree frog varieties and the smaller brown tree frogs who particularly like our shed. They will not take much notice of you and generally stay in the same spot for an entire day and/or night. Spotlighting is the best way to find the white lipped tree frog in the trees around the property.
The Praying Mantis, also called Leaf Insects will occasionally fly onto the deck and can be seen in the garden waiting under a flower head to catch an unsuspecting butterfly. These alien looking critters are not afraid of humans, but like all wildlife, don’t attempt to touch or feed them.
There are also many varieties of spiders in the rainforest, but unless you’re trekking through an unused track, you are unlikely to come across these. You will find small harmless spiders on webs throughout the garden, particularly the tiny triangular Northern Jeweled Spider. If you’re lucky you may see the majestic web of the Golden Orb Spider and if you’re really lucky you may see them building or mending their webs.
Mosquitoes can sometimes be a problem, generally in the dry season. If this is the case, you will find mosquito coils under the kitchen sink. These are very effective at keeping them from bothering you on the veranda. We also provide an earth friendly and more importantly pond friendly bug repellant lotion called Good Riddance to wear when you are exploring.
Tiny micro-bats (they weigh as little as 3 grams) are often seen buzzing around in front of the deck and over the swimming hole just before dark. Turn the lights on downstream in the late afternoon and sit back and watch the show. The are very quick, you will feel like you’re watching a game of tennis! These cute little bats will not hurt you and they eat mosquitoes and other small bugs, so are a welcome sight.
You may also see spectacled flying foxes feeding in the fig trees in the late afternoon or flying overhead. They have yellow fur around their eyes, head and neck and look like teddy bears if you get a close look at them. They are very shy and will fly away unless you are very quiet.
Our beautiful swimming pool is teeming with jungle perch, and lots of small native catfish. You may occasionally see small eels and even baby turtles in this pool. Nothing in the pool will harm you.
The smaller ponds are home to many small fresh-water crays and occasional baby eels. The pond below the verandah is home to Thomas the Turtle, who we now know is actually a female and a very large eel who occasionally goes downstream for a while, probably to breed. These two have shared this pond for more than 10 years and share it with occasional smaller male turtles obviously interested in Thomas and jungle perch that get washed down from the main pool when the water level spills over. Small freshwater crays also call this pond home.
The most common question we get asked about wildlife at Daintree Secrets is about crocodiles. Crocodiles would never venture this far up the rocky stream many kilometers from their preferred river systems or coastline, and they certainly do not like cold water. Crocs like the warm waters of the rivers and creeks and can be seen basking in the sun on a muddy bank.
Snakes are the next most asked about critter. There is always a possibility that you may see a carpet snake, a green or brown tree snake, but they appear rarely and are harmless. Other snakes are even more rare in this rainforest setting. You may see them in the rafters on the verandah where they sometimes sleep during the day. Count yourself lucky if you do as we have rarely seen snakes on the property in the many years of owning the property. On my personal wish list is to see a giant Amethystine Python! If you do see a snake, just avoid getting too close. They are not interested in you and will slither away if they see you. If a snake is on the deck and it is not moving anywhere and bothering you, you can call our caretaker who will come over and remove it.
There are very many varieties of marsupials and mammal in the Daintree rainforest. The musky rat kangaroo and Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo are the most famous and native to the area but spotted rarely. The beautiful striped possum can make an appearance late at night. They love the fruit of the Star Apple tree above the flat rock. Don’t forget to keep your eyes out for fireflies on the far side of the swimming hole and upstream. Kids and adults alike love to take the torch out for some spotlighting. You never know what you might see.
Cassowaries can be seen throughout the Daintree, but they are typically shy. We occasionally have cassowaries visit Daintree Secrets. They have been seen coming out of the bush onto the driveway or close to the forest on our lawned area. Keep your eyes open while out driving, as this is where you are most likely to see Cassowaries. Some guests have told that they have seen 3 different sightings during their time at Daintree Secrets.
Interacting with Wildlife at Daintree Secrets:
The Eastern Water Dragon family are often spotted sunning themselves on the rocks below the deck during the day. These are medium sized lizards which are very timid but great jumpers and scurry across the rocks at great speed.
Boyd’s Forest Dragon is more difficult to see, but they are around our property. They pose perfectly still on the side of trees. These arboreal lizards are native to the Daintree Rainforest and only found in North Queensland.
Frogs are semi-regular visitors on the verandah, both the white lipped green tree frog varieties and the smaller brown tree frogs who particularly like our shed. They will not take much notice of you and generally stay in the same spot for an entire day and/or night. Spotlighting is the best way to find the white lipped tree frog in the trees around the property.
The Praying Mantis, also called Leaf Insects will occasionally fly onto the deck and can be seen in the garden waiting under a flower head to catch an unsuspecting butterfly. These alien looking critters are not afraid of humans, but like all wildlife, don’t attempt to touch or feed them.
There are also many varieties of spiders in the rainforest, but unless you’re trekking through an unused track, you are unlikely to come across these. You will find small harmless spiders on webs throughout the garden, particularly the tiny triangular Northern Jeweled Spider. If you’re lucky you may see the majestic web of the Golden Orb Spider and if you’re really lucky you may see them building or mending their webs.
Mosquitoes can sometimes be a problem, generally in the dry season. If this is the case, you will find mosquito coils under the kitchen sink. These are very effective at keeping them from bothering you on the veranda. We also provide an earth friendly and more importantly pond friendly bug repellant lotion called Good Riddance to wear when you are exploring.
Tiny micro-bats (they weigh as little as 3 grams) are often seen buzzing around in front of the deck and over the swimming hole just before dark. Turn the lights on downstream in the late afternoon and sit back and watch the show. The are very quick, you will feel like you’re watching a game of tennis! These cute little bats will not hurt you and they eat mosquitoes and other small bugs, so are a welcome sight.
You may also see spectacled flying foxes feeding in the fig trees in the late afternoon or flying overhead. They have yellow fur around their eyes, head and neck and look like teddy bears if you get a close look at them. They are very shy and will fly away unless you are very quiet.
Our beautiful swimming pool is teeming with jungle perch, and lots of small native catfish. You may occasionally see small eels and even baby turtles in this pool. Nothing in the pool will harm you.
The smaller ponds are home to many small fresh-water crays and occasional baby eels. The pond below the verandah is home to Thomas the Turtle, who we now know is actually a female and a very large eel who occasionally goes downstream for a while, probably to breed. These two have shared this pond for more than 10 years and share it with occasional smaller male turtles obviously interested in Thomas and jungle perch that get washed down from the main pool when the water level spills over. Small freshwater crays also call this pond home.
The most common question we get asked about wildlife at Daintree Secrets is about crocodiles. Crocodiles would never venture this far up the rocky stream many kilometers from their preferred river systems or coastline, and they certainly do not like cold water. Crocs like the warm waters of the rivers and creeks and can be seen basking in the sun on a muddy bank.
Snakes are the next most asked about critter. There is always a possibility that you may see a carpet snake, a green or brown tree snake, but they appear rarely and are harmless. Other snakes are even more rare in this rainforest setting. You may see them in the rafters on the verandah where they sometimes sleep during the day. Count yourself lucky if you do as we have rarely seen snakes on the property in the many years of owning the property. On my personal wish list is to see a giant Amethystine Python! If you do see a snake, just avoid getting too close. They are not interested in you and will slither away if they see you. If a snake is on the deck and it is not moving anywhere and bothering you, you can call our caretaker who will come over and remove it.
There are very many varieties of marsupials and mammal in the Daintree rainforest. The musky rat kangaroo and Bennett’s Tree Kangaroo are the most famous and native to the area but spotted rarely. The beautiful striped possum can make an appearance late at night. They love the fruit of the Star Apple tree above the flat rock. Don’t forget to keep your eyes out for fireflies on the far side of the swimming hole and upstream. Kids and adults alike love to take the torch out for some spotlighting. You never know what you might see.
Cassowaries can be seen throughout the Daintree, but they are typically shy. We occasionally have cassowaries visit Daintree Secrets. They have been seen coming out of the bush onto the driveway or close to the forest on our lawned area. Keep your eyes open while out driving, as this is where you are most likely to see Cassowaries. Some guests have told that they have seen 3 different sightings during their time at Daintree Secrets.
Interacting with Wildlife at Daintree Secrets:
- If you are lucky enough to see a cassowary or any other wildlife whilst at Daintree Secrets do not be afraid, but do not make any sudden movements and do not run.
- Do not corner, chase or provoke wildlife into performing particular behaviours (e.g. flying, gliding, defense display, etc.)
- Do not to touch or feed wildlife
- Be respectful of any animals you see.
I hope this has helped to allay the fears of those nervous about what they may encounter while in the rainforest. Relax and enjoy your stay at Daintree Secrets.
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