The central rock rat lives in central Australia around and among rocks — sheltering in crevices during days that can reach a blistering 50°C (122°F). Threatened by bushfires and invasive predators, its range has shrunk by around 95%.

Gollum galaxias — with their big eyes and flattened faces — are named for their resemblance to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings character. These 7-centimetre (2.8 in) fish live in the southern reaches of New Zealand and are considered 'critically endangered'.

The mistletoebird of Australia and Indonesia specializes in feeding on mistletoe berries — digesting the flesh and depositing the sticky seeds onto branches in neat lines, where they quickly germinate and grow. The bird is nomadic, in near-constant search of mistletoe berries.

The night parrot was believed to be extinct for almost 80 years. Despite widespread sightings throughout mainland Australia, this nocturnal parrot is one of the country's most elusive birds. It lives in isolated arid regions, spending most of its time on the ground and hiding within spinifex grass.

The moaning frog is named for its call, which sounds like a slow and drawn-out moan. This burrowing frog is native to southwestern Western Australia, where its calls can keep people up at night — it's recommended to gently flood the frog's burrow each night until the moaning male moves on.

The willie wagtail is aggressively territorial. It's known to harass much larger birds (including eagles), venomous snakes, and humans that wander too close to its nest. Before an assault, it flares its white "eyebrows", making it look especially enraged.