marsupials

Reaktion Animal Series. Written in a lively and approachable style, Kangaroo relates the story of this creature in Australian and global history, with a particular focus on how the image of the kangaroo has been used and abused. As well as describing the physiology and lifecycle of this unique animal, Simons outlines the kangaroo in indigenous Australian culture. He looks at the fate of the kangaroo on first contact with Europeans, and considers the wider kangaroo diaspora, including zoo animals and wild populations across Japan and the USA. The book also explores the connections between visual representation, cultural meaning, and the current controversy in Australia surrounding kangaroo hunting and eating. Simons demonstrates how the diversity of the kangaroo has frequently been reduced to a single stereotype, and how such misrepresentations now threaten the future of the species. This book will engage all kangaroo lovers, as well as those concerned with animal welfare and conservation, particularly in Australia.

The world’s largest marsupial predator was deliberately hunted to extinction through fear, ignorance and greed. But was it a savage sheep killer or a shy, fussy, nocturnal feeder? And did it really drink its victims’ blood? Once reviled, feared and slaughtered by government decree, the myth of the Tasmanian tiger continues to grow. So treasured is it now, the Tasmanian tiger has become the official logo of the island that wiped it out and a symbol of the conservation movement world-wide.

In this fascinating story of the koala, biologist and author Stephen Jackson examines not only the ecology, behaviour and history of this extraordinary animal, but also ongoing threats such as disease and habitat loss, and the controversial debate about how to best manage the remaining populations of Australia’s favourite marsupial. Also available in hardcover [stock id 26750].

Marsupial specialists Stephen Jackson and Karl Vernes examine our sustained fascination with kangaroos – spannning 40,000 years – that allows these engaging marsupials to be instantly recognised by people the world over. This engaging book expands on our understanding of these fascinating marsupials, describing the three types of kangaroos – kangaroos, wallabies and rat kangaroos – and their ecology, history and behaviour. It illustrates their interaction with humans and addresses the issue of how to best manage their populations.
The amazing diversity of this group of animals is revealed, ranging from tiny forest dwellers and tree kangaroos to large majestic animals living on the open plains of central Australia and the giant kangaroos that once roamed the Pleistocene landscape. The authors also investigate the natural history of kangaroos -their unique reproduction methods, intriguing behaviour, varied diet and, of course, that trademark hopping ability- all of which make them such fascinating animals.