Australian wildlife increasingly uses homes
A decade of rescue data shows possums, bats, and wombats are commonly found in roofs and walls as animals seek shelter in buildings due to habitat loss
Native animals are increasingly using Australian houses as substitute habitats, with possums making up a large proportion of all reported cases. Researchers from the University of Melbourne analysed 2,400 wildlife rescue reports over ten years, finding animals in roof spaces, walls, garages, and even indoor rooms.
Bethany Kiss, the study's lead author and an architect, said animals are turning to buildings as their natural homes and hollows disappear. "We found native wildlife using almost every part of the house imaginable," Kiss stated. The research indicates these are common occurrences, not unusual incidents.
Common intruders and unusual finds
The data, provided by Wildlife Victoria, shows brushtail and ringtail possums account for a significant number of cases. Microbats and bare-nosed wombats are the next most frequent visitors. A portion of animals were found inside rooms like bedrooms and kitchens.
Recent calls to Wildlife Victoria highlight unusual situations. A caller discovered juvenile sugar gliders in her kitchen, with one initially found under the sink. A volunteer later collected several gliders in total. In another case, an echidna entered a home and raided the pantry, pulling items including a food processor from shelves. The homeowner, who was also a wildlife rescuer, safely returned it outside.
Rescue services advocate coexistence
Rescue organisations note animals often seek shelter during extreme weather. In New South Wales, Wires reported a koala that entered a home, scampered down a hallway, and was later found sitting calmly on a bed. Microbats are frequent callers to hotlines; a renovating homeowner recently found eight little forest bats roosting in a wall.
Ericka Tudhope, a rehabilitation specialist from Microbats of Melbourne, said bats in roofs are common and generally harmless if left undisturbed. "They make great housemates by keeping bug numbers down and rarely do any damage to the house," she said. Wildlife Victoria spokesperson Aleisha Hall encouraged peaceful coexistence where possible but advised contacting local rescue services if concerned.
Designing for shared spaces
Bethany Kiss contrasts the accidental cohabitation in Australia with intentional design in the United Kingdom, where new builds sometimes include features like "swift nesting bricks." She argues for integrating animal considerations into architecture amidst biodiversity and housing crises.
"One of the things that I would really like to see in Australia, is that we think about embedding the ecologist in the design process like you would with, say, an engineer," Kiss said. Suggested measures include wildlife-friendly lighting, noise reduction, and habitat features such as swallow shelves or possum boxes.
Co-author Professor Sarah Bekessy, a Biodiversity Council lead councillor, said people benefit from everyday animal interactions. She stated such encounters can improve mental wellbeing, strengthen nature connections, and make cities healthier. The study shows a shift towards viewing buildings as potential shared spaces rather than fortresses against nature.
