Of marsupials and men
Paton, Alistair2022
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Of Marsupials and Men recounts the fascinating and often hilarious history of the men and women who dedicated their lives to understanding Australia's native animals. To the first European colonists, Australian wildlife was bewildering. Marsupials and gum trees seemed strange and hostile; rabbits, sheep and oak trees were familiar and safe. A bustling animal trade soon developed in both directions- foxes, starlings and other reminders of 'home' were unleashed on the Australian landscape, while countless Australian animals found themselves in Europe as stuffed specimens or living curiosities in zoos and private collections. Into this picture stepped a remarkable band of enthusiastic amateurs who were determined to get to know the fauna of the new colony. Equal parts inspiring and outlandish, over the next 150 years they would advance scientific understanding and transform public attitudes to Australian wildlife. From the 'snake men' who fearlessly thrust their arms into hollow logs just to see what might happen, to the top-secret plan to smuggle a platypus to Winston Churchill at the height of World War II, these are their stories.
Main title:
Of marsupials and men / Alistair Paton.
Author:
Paton, Alistair, author
Imprint:
Collingwood, Victoria : Black Inc, [2022]©2022
Collation:
297 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.
Notes:
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents:
Doing nature's good workAnimals for saleBirds on the brainThe snake menOne of nature's nervous mistakesTasmaniansMarsupials in the mediaEpilogue: Not the end.
ISBN:
97817606436459781760643645
Dewey class:
591.994
Language:
English
Subject:
BRN:
514229
More Information:
| Location | Collection | Call number | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaumaris Library | Adult Non Fiction - Animals | 591.994 PAT | Available |
| Brighton Library | Adult Non Fiction - Animals | 591.994 PAT | Available |