I started this list on 22/09. It was originally only plants, we learnt so much about them, but no I've extended it to animals, places and other important things too!
I was learning so much in Kakadu and I suddenly realised I would forget it all if I didn't write it down somewhere, so:
Here it is!
Archer fish – these fish are awesome! They have an ability that no other fish has – they can spit! Not only that, but they are incredibly accurate, and can spit up to 2.5 metres long! Now that’s talent! They use this ability to knock insects and bugs off plants that hang over the water, meaning they have elements in their diet that no other fish has!
Banksia cones - these cones are dark, almost burnt in colour with little 'mouths' all over them (which hold the seeds). The aboriginals have a very weird and interesting use for them - if you burn them and squat in the smoke, it can relieve diarrhoea!
Buoys - buoys are set out in waterways all over Kakadu. Because saltwater crocodiles are very inquisitive, they will often chomp a buoy when they see it. Rangers use the chomped buoys as gauges - judging by the size of the teeth marks, they can tell the size of the crocodile (and also the type, which is important and can make all the difference in the world!)
Burning off - the land in Kakadu has been burnt off for centuries, first by the aboriginals, and now also by the rangers in Kakadu. One of the reasons is to get rid of the long, spiky grass and make it easier for the aboriginals to travel to different places. Studies have also shown that many animals benefit from burning off, and burning off early in season reduces the risk of large bushfires and fires from lightning later in the year when it's drier and more dangerous - many animals are more badly affected by these later fires than the ones early in the dry season.
Calendar plants – the aboriginals are very dependent on these plants. They use indicators such as flowering times, times when seedpods form, and so on, to tell them when seasons are beginning and ending. Because they depend on nature to tell them these things, they are more accurate in gauging what should be happening at that time. Some examples of calendar plants are the Pandanus Aquaticus, the Kapok tree, and
Crocodiles - both types of crocodiles live very happily in Kakadu. Many lakes and creeks are closed for swimming because of them. However, the two types do not generally live together - where there are freshwater crocodiles, you probably won't find any saltwater crocodiles. A crocodile's head is about 1/7th of its total body length. (See also saltwater and freshwater crocodiles)
File snake - a nonvenomous snake that lives underwater under the pandanus aquaticus trees. The skin is very rough, like a file. It is considered a woman's job to get these snakes. The snake is killed by placing the head in the mouth, gripping the snake with the teeth, and pulling the snake with the hands to break its neck.
Freshwater crocodiles - these crocodiles are not very aggressive, and will generally not attack unless provoked. Their jaws are smaller and narrower than saltwater crocs. Freshwaters can only grow up to about 3 metres, and can live for over 50 years. The teeth of the freshwater croc are all similar in size.
Green ants – the green ants in Kakadu are not the same ants as the green ants in, for example, Queensland. These are orange/yellow in colour with a huge green backside. They have the most amazing nests – using a spider web-like substance (probably their spit), they stick together several leaves of a pandanus, or fold a leaf from a tree in half, and live inside in colonies. If they feel threatened, they sometimes shoot a citric-acid-like substance from their green backsides.
Melaleucas - see paperbark trees.
Moieties - there are two different groups called moieties - every aboriginal is in a moiety, and with each moiety comes special rules about what you can eat, and so on. A child will have the same moiety as its father.
Narrmagarn sisters - an aboriginal story tells of how these sisters turned into the salt water crocodiles so they would not have to obey the aboriginal laws. This way, they were able to eat anything they like.
Pandanus spiralus - has a pale palm-like trunk with long, very spikey leaves (trust, me, they're spikey!). More than one head of leaves can grow on one trunk. Aboriginal women use the tall, supple young leaves in the middle to make baskets. They split the leaves and remove the spikes, dye and dry the leaves then make baskets from them.
Paperbark trees - These trees are also called Melaleucas, and are known as the outback Bunnings! They are used for almost everything! The bark can be used as plates, cups, bowls, tabletops, ground oven covers, aluminium foil and glad wrap, pillows, blankets, mattresses, writing paper, water carriers, and are even used as coffins! Food can be also wrapped in it and cooked. The leaves are also useful: antiseptic, flavouring, and the smoke from burning the wet leaves can be used as insect repellent. The trunk sometimes grows a lump in the side – this contains fresh water (albeit rather earthy-tasting) and if you cut into the growth, the water can be drunk.
Rainbow snake - there is not one rainbow snake for the whole of Australia - rather, there is one for each area. The places where these snakes live now are considered sacred. Different aboriginal groups have different names for the rainbow snake.
Rock paintings – the aboriginals in Kakadu have many paintings.
Saltwater crocodiles - Also known as estuarine crocodiles, these crocs are very aggressive, and eat almost anything that moves. Their name is deceptive - they actually live happily in any sort of water, fresh or salty. The aboriginal name for this crocodile is Ginga. These crocodiles can live for over 70 years, and can grow longer than 6 metres. Salties are very inquisitive and particularly smart, although their brains are only about 3cm across. Aboriginal women, when looking for food in water, will never go to the same place regularly. Saltwater crocs easily note any regularities, and won't hesitate to have a chomp once they see any regularities. The teeth size of a saltwater crocodile vary greatly - some nearer the front are very large, and some further back are smaller.
Seasons - the aboriginals recognise six different seasons: Yegge, Banggerreng, Gudjewg, Wurrgeng, Gurrung, and Gunummeleng. These make much more sense than the European four seasons, because they are more relevant to the Australian climate. The changes of season are indicated by the change in appearance of different plants in the area, meaning that although the seasons are more flexible, they are also more reliable (i.e. we see that it's February and expect it to get cooler, whereas the Aboriginals only expect the rainy season to start when the Leichardt's Grasshopper first makes its appearance. The aboriginals use the knowledge of the change of seasons mostly for food – they know what to look for at different times of the year.
Sickness Country – this is where the rainbow serpent lives. Aboriginals say that if you go there and disturb the rainbow serpent, bad things will happen to you. Seismic activity has been recorded there.
Skin groups - there are four different skin groups. A child's skin group is determined by its mother's skin group: the skin groups 'rotate' each generation, so a child will have the same skin group as their great-great-grandmother.
Ubirr - an aboriginal art site. There is a painting of the rainbow serpent, Bula, a big painting of an aboriginal menu or diet, and many other paintings. One painting is about ten meters above the ground on an overhang. The aboriginals believe this painting was made by the tall, thin Mimi spirits, who lift down the rocks, paint them, then put them back.
