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Cassowaries are considered a keystone species as they play an important role in the ecology of the rainforest and bushland areas where they live, as they are vital in dispersing seeds in their native forests.

They are frugivores which feed on the fruit of up to 238 different species of plants. Because they are able to eat larger fruits, they can therefore can disperse large rainforest fruits after the seeds have passed through their digestive system, which is gentle enough to allow the seeds to remain viable. The cassowary has a wide range, so is also the only long distance means for dispersing large seeded fruits. The seeds are excreted into a pile of the cassowary's own dung, meaning the seeds have their own ready-made pile of fertiliser. The smell of the dung even helps to deter seed-eating predators such as the white-tailed rat. Of the hundreds of fruit-bearing species on which the cassowary feeds, between 70 and 100 of them appear to rely completely on the cassowary for dispersal.

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Q: Why is the cassowary a keystone species in tropical rainforests of Queensland?
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Where does the Cassowary come from?

The cassowary comes from Australia and New Guinea. The Southern cassowary comes from the rainforests of coastal northern Queensland, Australia As well as the rainforests of Papua New Guinea, and the Aru and Seram Islands. The Northern cassowary, or Golden-neck Cassowary, is found in the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya on the island of New Guinea.


What keystone species live in tropical rainforests?

There are multiple keystone species that live in the tropical rainforests. A couple of these species are cassowaries and agoutis.


When did the Macaw Become Endangered?

Unfortunately, yes. The Southern Cassowary is endangered in Queensland, Australia. The cassowaries are found throughout the rainforests, and nearby woodlands and swamps of tropical North Queensland.


Do cassowaries live in the forests of Australia and New Guinea?

Yes. The Southern Cassowary is found in the northeastern tropical rainforests of Australia, specifically, on the eastern side of Cape York Peninsula.Three species of cassowary are found on the island of New Guinea. They are the Southern Cassowary, Dwarf Cassowary (also known as Bennett's Cassowary) and Northern Cassowary. The Dwarf Cassowary is also found on the island of New Britain in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea.


Where do golden neck cassowary come from?

The Golden-neck Cassowary, also known as the Northern cassowary, is found in the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya on the island of New Guinea.


The cassowary is native to which part of Australia?

The Southern cassowary lives in the rainforests of coastal northern Queensland, Australia, as well as in tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea, and the Aru and Seram Islands. It is found in Cape York, in the vine forests of Lockerbie and McHenry Uplands, the vine forests of the McIlwraith and Iron Ranges, and in the Wet Tropics, from Big Tableland, south of Cooktown to Paluma, north of Townsville.


Are cassowaries in the Amazon rainforest?

No. There are 3 species of cassowary and they all live in either Australia or New Guinea. The Southern cassowary lives in the rainforests of coastal northern Queensland, Australia, as well as in tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea, and the Aru and Seram Islands. It is found in Cape York, in the vine forests of Lockerbie and McHenry Uplands, the vine forests of the McIlwraith and Iron Ranges, and in the Wet Tropics, from Big Tableland, south of Cooktown to Paluma, north of Townsville. The Northern cassowary, or Golden-neck Cassowary, is found in the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya on the island of New Guinea.


Do cassowaries live in rainforests?

Cassowaries do live in rainforests, and this is the predominant habitat. The Southern cassowary lives in the rainforests of coastal northern Queensland, Australia, as well as in tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea, and the Aru and Seram Islands. It is found in Cape York, in the vine forests of Lockerbie and McHenry Uplands, the vine forests of the McIlwraith and Iron Ranges, and in the Wet Tropics, from Big Tableland, south of Cooktown to Paluma, north of Townsville. The Northern cassowary, or Golden-neck Cassowary, is found in the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya on the island of New Guinea. Cassowaries' preferred habitat is rainforest and other dense bushland where they can easily hide, from low-lying swampland forests to high, mountainous forests.


Where do Cassowaries live?

The Southern cassowary lives in the rainforests of coastal northern Queensland, Australia, as well as in tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea, and the Aru and Seram Islands. It is found in Cape York, in the vine forests of Lockerbie and McHenry Uplands, the vine forests of the McIlwraith and Iron Ranges, and in the Wet Tropics, from Big Tableland, south of Cooktown to Paluma, north of Townsville. The Northern cassowary, or Golden-neck Cassowary, is found in the tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya on the island of New Guinea. Cassowaries' preferred habitat is rainforest and other dense bushland where they can easily hide, from low-lying swampland forests to high, mountainous forests.


What is the state of Queensland renowned for by the rest of Australia?

Queensland is known for their tropical landscape.it has exquisite rainforests and beautiful waterfalls. its a must-be for all tourists


Where in the rainforest does the cassowary live?

Cassowaries live in tropical rainforests of north-east Queensland, Australia, Papau New Guinea and other nearby islands. They also live along jungle rivers and rarely on farms. They prefer to live in grassy areas by the water.


What is the population of the southern cassowary?

The Southern cassowary lives in the rainforests of coastal northern Queensland, Australia, as well as in tropical rainforests of Papua New Guinea, and the Aru and Seram Islands. It is found in Cape York, in the vine forests of Lockerbie and McHenry Uplands, the vine forests of the McIlwraith and Iron Ranges, and in the Wet Tropics, from Big Tableland, south of Cooktown to Paluma, north of Townsville.