Australia is home to the world famous kangaroo. Nowhere in the world can you find as many as those roaming around in the Australian outback. Kangaroo is almost synonymous to Australia because when you talk about kangaroo, Australia would readily come in mind. Although countries like New Zealand, New Guinea and the pacific island US state Hawaii have become homes to some species of kangaroos, Australia kangaroos are truly different and unique.
Their strong back legs that they use for mobility—hopping, commonly identify Australia kangaroos. Kangaroos are classified in two families, the Macropodidae and Potoroidae. The Macropodidae, other than kangaroos, has wallabies, tree-kangaroos. It also has wallaroos and pademelons. The potoroidae have different kinds like potoroos, bettongs and the rat-kangaroos. All these species are exclusively found in Australia and thrive in different habitats.
The red and gray kangaroos are the two most common and best-known types of Australia kangaroos. Although the red one is considered as the largest marsupial. On the one hand a male red kangaroo can stand as high as two meters and can be as heavy as 90 kilograms. It survives in dry land areas of Australia like the dessert and grassland. They are also found living along mallee areas and mulga country. They can even survive without water for a prolonged period for as long as it can feed on green grass. On the other hand a gray kangaroo, which has two types, eastern and western, is very common in areas where there is considerable frequency of rainfall.
Australia kangaroos or any kangaroos for that matter are famous for their pouch. A newly born or young kangaroo is carried by the mother inside the pouch while being attached to one of the teats. The baby kangaroo stay inside the pouch until such time that it is strong and able enough to hop on its own.
The kangaroos in Australia are facing threats of extinction because of the heavy improvement on some areas where kangaroos live. Modernization is one of the archenemies of kangaroos. It destroys their natural habitat thus they go on quandary in looking for food for their survival. Other predators like fox and wild cats, changing climates that lead to forest fires, transformation of grassland into grazing lands also pose grave threats to kangaroos survival.
The Australian government has spearheaded measures in protecting Australia kangaroos through legislation. It also assisted in research endeavors to better the living conditions of kangaroos. Kangaroos are now being protected from hunting activities. Some areas are now protected in favor of these kangaroos.
Kangaroos will always be a part of Australian pride. But for how long will it take for any Australian to hold on to that pride if the kangaroos are becoming extinct. Actually there are many things that can be done to help preserve the kangaroos. Let us do our share.
T J Madigan
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/not-your-typical-pet-australia-kangaroos-101524.html
March 14th, 2010 at 1:51 am
Opinions on the introductory first chapter of my {teen} novel?
Heyyyy,
I’m currently in the process of writing a novel about an Australian girl going to boarding school in Herefordshire, England. Yes, I know it is an overused and cliche-sounding plot, a foreign boarding school transfer, but it isn’t your typical storyline — I am trying to divert people from stereotyping such plotlines. (Straying away from the whole Wild Child, Harry Potter thing.)
Anyway, in spite of the plot, I would just like some constructive feedback on the introduction of my first chapter! The prologue, which I shan’t include, is just basically an acceptance letter to my main character, which gives an intriguing insight into the school.
Anyway, here we go:
"To any normal London citizen, a trip to the Fenchurch Street Railway Station would be considered insignificant. But as a tall, dark-haired girl struggled with her full luggage trolley and tried to take in every detail of her surroundings at the same time, it was with a certain degree of amusement that she reflected on just how far from a ‘normal London citizen’ she really was.
For Zephora Norling, this trip to the railway station was just as much an unimportant excursion as she was an old Polish potato farmer. It was the beginning of a new life.
Having flown in from Australia a mere two weeks earlier – a country that was half-way across the globe and unbeknownst to the extremity of British winters – there had been an initial culture shock. Despite the fact that both England and Australia spoke a similar language, used an analogous political system and even shared a Queen, everything else was completely different. Australia was a harsh, wild land that bore an inexplicable sense of freedom, whereas England seemed to be a relatively anodyne country where the most dangerous wildlife to be encountered was a ruminating cow. And, more importantly, no one seemed to have any idea of what a pair of ‘overalls’ were.
She was slightly overwhelmed by the several strangers who’d approached her in the past fortnight, holding high hopes of hearing an accent to rival Paul Hogan’s. She’d had to politely inform them that she’d grown up in Adelaide, not the rural outback, and their excited expressions had quickly waned upon detecting only a slight lilt in her speech. They all seemed to have placed Australians under the most ridiculous of stereotypes. One flight attendant had even asked her father if he rode a kangaroo to work.
Zephora struggled not to lose control over her trolley as she swerved out of the way of various passersby. The station was incredibly crowded, even for an early Thursday morning. She had yet to grow accustomed to the way England seemed to have such a large number of people crammed into such a small place.
An indignant squawk from somewhere behind brought Zephora to an abrupt stop.
“Mum!” she cried, momentarily abandoning her luggage to help the beset woman up off of the grimy station floor. She’d been bowled over by a crowd of ignorant Japanese tourists who were also quite possibly blind. Zephora resisted the urge to snigger when they were once again the font of an unfortunate blunder a little while away.
“Thank you, dear. Absolute madness, this country,” huffed her mother, dusting herself off once she was in an upright position. “I’ve had my personal space invaded well over my usual limit.”
Leila Norling was of Egyptian heritage and most likely accountable for the majority of Zephora’s exotic features. She had light olive skin, a thick, black bundle of hair and enormous green eyes that were, at that very moment, scanning the crowds of people in search of her husband.
“Rufus!” she called out, her hands swiftly moving to their accustomed place on her hips. She sighed and turned to her daughter. “That man has a penchant for getting himself lost, I’m telling you.”"
—
!
So, pleeease tell me your opinions regarding characterisation, dialogue, vocabulary, descriptions, believability etc. etc.
And if you have any suggestions to substitute for poorly-written sections, please do not hold back
(If it matters at all, I am currently one month short of 15.)
Thanks for all the answers so far! — Yes, the Polish potato farmer was a quick little insertion that I must agree, doesn’t really work too well. And the whole Japanese tourist thing — I’ve edited it now anyway, to a more fitting occurance
I live in Adelaide, and yes, Zephora is not a common Australian name — But there really are no common Aussie names, taking into account the multiculturalism. I believe I mentioned Zephora’s mother was Egyptian? The name "Zephora" is of Egyptian origin, do you think maybe I should mention that in the description? Like, "Leila Norling was of Egyptian heritage and most likely accountable for the majority of Zephora’s exotic features, as well as her unusual first name."
Thanks so much!
March 14th, 2010 at 6:53 am
You have a future. 15? Unbelieveable.
Characterisation – good,
Content – good but not original
Sentence construction – good
Spelling – immaculate.
Scene setting – excellent. I could almost chew the atmosphere of Fenchurch Street.
Dialogue is limited therefore difficult to assess but in the main seems right for the characterisation if a trifle stuffy.
I don’t have a real problem with the Japanese tourists as a concept except they are usually a most polite group of people and would have apologised profusely for they too value their own space.
References :
March 14th, 2010 at 6:55 am
Wow.
I am thoroughly impressed by your writing. You have an extraordinary lexica for one so young! I actually had to look up "anodyne."
Your prose flows well and carries an intellectual weight.
Indeed, I am astounded by your command of the English language. I cannot really find faults in your grammar. And as aforementioned, your writing flows. Your dialogue is also very believable.
I get a real sense of Zephora’s character through your narration. And you did it in such a way that I inferred most of it–a feat I am endeavoring to accomplish in my own writing. Also, I adore her name!
The only problems I had was when you related the unimportance of her trip to the Polish potato farmer. It may just be me, but that made me pause and think for a while, for I took it quite literally.
The other issue I had was the character’s quip about Japanese people, which I found a tad offensive (I’m not Japanese, but I’m close enough). I understand that it may be the character’s perspective and that Asian tourists are annoying, but perhaps there’s a way to make it more delicate.
In any case, I am thoroughly impressed by your work! I am almost envious of your talent! Please continue! And I hope you become a published writer!
And, if you are so inclined, would you please comment on the first chapter of my fantasy novel?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjIJPYCEby3za.p4BKF.VEnsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20091008015818AAQOmFy
References :
March 14th, 2010 at 6:57 am
For a girl who grew up in Adelaide, Zephora is not a very Australian name. I have never heard of it. I like your writing style though.
EDIT: Well, if you mention that Zephora is named so because of her heritage then there should be no problem
References :
March 14th, 2010 at 6:59 am
I really like it, you’re a good writer for 14 almost 15
Just wonder, are you Australian? Because the name Zephora isn’t common so unless she moved here at a young age, the name doesn’t fit in with the character if that makes sense?
You’re really good at descriptions though. Keep up the good work.
Answer mine?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aovzff4YlmzBVeNshAZpj9Xsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20091008040241AAsnWSE
References :