Along with the kangaroos, the platypus is totally identified with Australia, and no other living animal has intrigues and fascinated the layperson and the scientist to quite the same degree. This book confines itself to the know facts rather than to the myths and legends with surround this beautiful, secretive and shy creature. In a clear narrative style assisted by superb illustrations, The Platypus takes us through the four seasons in the life of a platypus, describing for us what they eat, where they live, how they reproduce and how they are adapted for survival in an environment that is periodically ravaged by floods and droughts. This third edition of The Platypus has been thoroughly revised and re-designed enabling the reader to be fully up-to-date on the latest research findings about this unique Australian creature.

"Naturalist and Assistant Director of the Museum of Zoology at the University of Cambridge, Jack Ashby shares his love for the platypus and other Australian mammals, including wombats, echidnas, and kangaroos. Informed by stories of his experiences meeting living marsupials and egg-laying mammals on fieldwork in Tasmania and mainland Australia and his close contact with thousands of zoological specimens collected for museums over the last 200 years, Ashby's book explains historical mysteries and debunks myths about these mammals and especially the platypus-which lays eggs, feeds its young on milk, has venom spurs, and sports a bill that can detect electricity. In evaluating how humans have considered these special mammals, he makes clear that calling these animals "weird" or "primitive"- or incorrectly implying that Australia is an "evolutionary backwater"-has only added to the challenges for their conservation. One outcome of these descriptions is that Australia now has the worst mammal extinction rate of anywhere on Earth. Ashby argues that many of the ways that the world thinks about Australia's mammals can be traced back to the country's colonial history"--

Since it first became known to European scientists and naturalists in 1798, the platypus has been the subject of controversy, interest and absolute wonder. Found only in Australia, the platypus is a mammal that lays eggs but, like other mammals, it has fur and suckles its young on milk. Many early biologists who visited the British colonies in Australia, including Charles Darwin, went out of their way to observe this remarkable animal. In Australia today the species is considered to be an icon, but one that many Australians have never seen in the wild. This book presents established factual information about the platypus and examines the most recent research findings, along with some of the colourful history of the investigation of its biology. This completely updated edition covers its anatomy, distribution and abundance, breeding, production of venom, unique senses, ecology, ancestry and conservation. It includes a 'Frequently Asked Questions' section for the general reader and, for those wishing to find out more detailed information, a comprehensive reference list.

In Medicine of Australian Mammals, more than 30 experts present the most current information available on the medical management of all taxa of Australian native mammals. This comprehensive text is divided into two parts. The first includes chapters on general topics relevant to the medical management of captive and free-ranging Australian native mammals such as: veterinary considerations for the rescue, treatment, rehabilitation and release of wildlife; veterinary aspects of hand-rearing orphaned marsupials; marine mammal strandings and the role of the veterinarian; and wildlife health investigation and necropsy of Australian mammals. The second part covers the medicine of specific taxa of Australian native mammals. Detailed information on taxonomy, distribution, biology, anatomy, physiology, reproduction, husbandry, nutrition, physical and chemical restraint, clinical pathology, hand-rearing, diseases, zoonoses, therapeutics, reproductive management and surgery is included. This practical, one-source reference is complemented by detailed photographs and illustrations, as well as tables listing reproductive and physiological data, diets, haematology and biochemistry values, and drug formularies. Appendices include a checklist of the mammals of Australia and its territories and a guide to the identification of common parasites of Australian mammals. Medicine of Australian Mammals is clinically oriented and is a must-have for veterinary clinicians, no matter how experienced. The book will also be of use to veterinary students, researchers, biologists, zoologists, wildlife carers and other wildlife professionals.

Follow a female platypus as she hunts for food, finds a mate, builds a shelter, and cares for her pups.

Platypus Dreaming is a real-life animal adventure story about one of the world’s most mysterious animals. It is rare for Australians to even see a platypus in the wild, let alone have the chance to touch one. In this book, we get to know a platypus called Lucky, her family, and all the wondrous creatures that share her life on the river. The author draws from her own life experiences as an Australian naturalist and wildlife rescuer to tell the story of one very resilient creature. It is a fictionalized account of the life and adventures of a female platypus that is full of fascinating facts and is told in a very unique voice. The author combines elements of adventure, romance, self-discovery, humour, and family values, along with fascinating biological facts about a platypus. It provides solid learning based on a beautiful story. Photographs of the real-life Lucky illustrate this poignant account of the survival of this unique animal against all odds. Platypus Dreaming takes the reader on an Australian adventure without leaving home. It is a real-life story in the style of Watership Down and Ring of Bright Water, where the animals act as they would in nature. If you or your children love true-to-life animal adventure stories, then read Platypus Dreaming. You won’t be disappointed. “I love the wildlife-rescuer style of telling a story. Lucky’s story has everything. There are real facts woven into an adventure that you have to keep reading to make sure that Lucky and her male friend can endure. There are also real photos of the animals that are the heroes of this story. Or is the hero the author herself?” (Verified Amazon review by Otakara Kliettke, May 21, 2016). “An amazing, wonderful book! If all you read are the introduction and chapter one, you’ll marvel at the Australian aboriginal stories and the natural history of the platypus. Then begins the story of one particular platypus named Lucky, whose rescue from near death by the author inspired the tale. Photographs of the real-life Lucky illustrate this poignant account of the survival of this animal against all odds” (Lynn W.).

Discover what Little Platypus gets up to and explore his world, in this fun and informative title from the Really Wild Families series. Little Platypus has a small, but happy family! Little Platypus lives with his brother and Mummy, and they only come out at night! Little Platypus is super excited to introduce us to his family and explore their riverside home together by moonlight. ​Beautiful and bright illustrations will make this informative book a hit with children of all ages! This charming celebration of platypus' will show children just how amazing nature is and is a reminder that it is up to us to care for the planet and its weird and wonderful creatures. Learn about one of nature's most fascinating creatures: What a platypus looks like from its webbed feet to its duck-like bill How a female platypus lays eggs How they hunt and survive in the wild How they use their super sixth sense of electroreception Why they are so unusual, and so fascinating! This adorable story is followed by a fun factivity section packed with craft projects, case studies and a quiz section at the back of the book, so you can put everything you have learnt about Little Platypus and their family to the test. In this Really Wild Families series, based on the everyday adventures of wild animals, discover what the littlest members of the family get up to! Through their eyes we will explore their habitats, family dynamics and how they play, grow and survive as a family.

Yarns, legends, myths, jokes and anecdotes are our national lifeblood. The home-grown and borrowed tales, told and re-told over generations, offer an insight into the larger national story of which every Australian has a part. Was Breaker Morant the Gatton murderer? What happened to Sniffling Jimmy and Black Mary? We revisit some of the most colourful characters in Australia's past, and the stories that have grown around them. We go looking for the real illywhacker and find out what happened after the execution of our most famous outlaw, Ned Kelly. It takes a certain character to make a living in the Australian bush. In the most difficult situations, laughter often comes to the rescue. Here are pioneers and battlers, convicts and settler's children, and a land that tests them with fire, flood and drought, all in stories resonant with Australia's distinctive wry humour. Dip into Larrikins, Bush Tales and Other Great Australian Stories for a taste of Australia's rich history and traditions.