Newcomers to the state

The Australian Magpie is arguably the most successful species in the state.  It is wonderfully adapted to its natural habitats of woodlands, grasslands and open forests and it has withstood the changes wrought by agriculture, forestry and urban development. There is virtually nowhere in Victoria that is far away from at least one Magpie.  With some qualifications, the same can also be said of the Flatweed, the Starling, the Sow-thistle and the House Mouse.  These are all extraordinary organisms which are almost as well-suited to life in the bush are they are to the suburbs and farmlands, and, unlike the Magpie, they didn't evolve in this country but were introduced by European settlers.

About 20% of the vascular plants and 5% of the vertebrates that live wild in Victoria have been released by humans sometime in the past 200 years.  Most species that have been introduced to Victoria don't manage to survive outside of agricultural or domestic circumstances but those that can sometimes do very well indeed.  In general non-native species that have become established are more abundant than natives, something that is borne out by the fact that the most widespread mammals and vascular plants in the state are all non-natives.

Cirsium vulgare A common weed
Cirsium vulgare is a robust thistle with spiny leaves and large, almost globular, purple flowers heads. [more]		 European Hare The other lagomorph
The European Hare is a long-eared, long-legged, rabbit-like, herbivorous mammal which is largely nocturnal. [more] 
Pittosporum undulatum A native weed
Pittosporum undulatum is a dense, broad-leafed shrub with sweetly-perfumed white flowers and orange fleshy fruits. [more]		 Sambar A hunted animal
The Sambar is a large, dark brown deer, to 1.4 m at the shoulder and weighing up to 240 kg. [more] 
Papaver somniferum A narcotic weed
Papaver somniferum is an annual herb with broad, toothed leaves and large white, red, pink or purple flowers. [more]		 Common Blackbird A new songbird
The Common Blackbird is a medium-sized songbird which feeds on invertebrates (particularly worms) and fleshy fruits.[more] 
Disa bracteata A weed in waiting
Disa bracteata is a ground orchid to about 30 cm tall with small yellow, green and brown flowers. [more]		 Dingo An early arrival 
The Dingo is a medium-sized, erect-eared, generally sandy-coloured dog.[more]
Cenchrus clandestinus An urban weed
Cenchrus clandestinus is a dense, mat-forming, perennial grass with very short flowering stems. [more] 		 Marbled Gecko An extended range
The Marbled Gecko is a small, thick-tailed lizard, to about 14 cm long. [more]
Ammophila arenaria A planted weed
Ammophila arenaria - Marram Grass - is a coarse, spreading grass of coastal sands. [more] 		 Cattle Egret An introduced traveller
The Cattle Egret is a medium-sized, largely ground-dwelling white bird with a tan flush to its plumage during breeding. [more]
Acacia mearnsii A weed somewhere else
Acacia mearnsii is a large shrub or tree with dark-green feathery leaves and clusters of pale yellow flowers. [more]		 Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog A market introduction
The Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog is a small, bright green frog, often with brown markings on the legs and flanks. [more]