Australian Wildlife

by Stella Martin

Overview

A new, thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt’s Australian Wildlife, covering habitats, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, the marine environment and where to go. Wildlife writer Stella Martin combines the encyclopaedic knowledge of David Attenborough with the enthusiasm of the late Steve Irwin to offer a unique guide which, compared to others, is variously more portable and more detailed, has a broader scope, goes beyond identification notes and includes an in-depth guide to ecosystems. It also covers all regions of Australia.Background chapters explain how Australia’s wildlife evolved in isolation and how the geology, soil and climate affect its natural history. There is also a close look at Australia’s infamously dangerous creatures, avoiding the clichés and putting their threat into perspective: although most of the world’s most venomous snakes are found in Australia, they are by no means the deadliest. Essential advice is offered for avoiding hazardous wildlife and there are also useful first aid tips. Up-to-date information on conservation is included, including fire and its role in the Australian ecology and the effect of exotic feral animals and weeds. And there are tips on how to find, enjoy and identify wildlife with a ‘where to go’ section featuring a state-by-state overview of key wildlife sites, with maps. With a focus on interesting information about the general biology and behaviour of the animals – with some detail about the most commonly seen species – and explaining how the different ecosystems ‘work’, this guide is for visitors who want to know more about what they see but don’t have room for an entire library of reference books. It is a book to read in bed – and encourage you to be up at dawn.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784773458
Publisher:	Bradt Publications UK
Publication date:	05/07/2020
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	5.53(w) x 8.49(h) x 0.55(d)

About the Author

Stella Martin has lived in Australia for 30 years and has spent most of that time writing about the country’s wildlife, including over 20 years employed as a writer by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, a role in which she received the Casssowary Award for her contribution towards the conservation and presentation of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Based in Cairns, she is involved with many environmental groups, such as Birdlife Australia, and spends much of her time exploring the natural world, both locally and around Australia. From swimming with minke whales on the Great Barrier Reef to watching a lyrebird display in the soaring mountain ash forest of Victoria’s Dandenongs, and watching amassing crocodiles in Kakadu National Park, she finds Australia’s wildlife a constant source of amazement and inspiration.

Read an Excerpt

Australian Wildlife

Wildlife Explorer

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By Martin, Stella

Bradt Travel Guides

Copyright © 2010 Martin, Stella
All right reserved.
ISBN: 9781841623245

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BOX The infernal toad

Brown, amphibious lumps hopping across northern lawns at night are likely to be cane toads (Rhinella  – formerly Bufo – marina). A native of Central and South America it is, unfortunately, an increasingly common sight in Australia. It was introduced into Queensland, near Cairns, in 1935 in the misguided hope that it would eat the beetles devouring the sugar cane. With females producing up to 30,000 eggs a season it has since spread, at an average rate of 50km a year, into New South Wales and across the Northern Territory into Western Australia. This epitomises a biological control gone wrong. The toads both eat and compete with frogs, lizards, birds and small mammals. Worse, they are toxic. When they arrive in a new area, quolls disappear, poisoned by this new prey. Goannas and snakes decline, but eventually seem to learn to avoid them. Some animals such as ibises, keelback snakes and some turtles can eat them while kookaburras, water rats and crows learn to flip them over and eat their innards. Unfortunately, the tadpoles are also toxic and poison aquatic life, and toadlets, which are active by day, put diurnal creatures, such as frilled lizards, at risk. Growing up to 20cm in length, but usually 10–15cm, the toad is solidly built with bony ridges above the eyes, dry warty skin (frogs are moist) and bulging venom glands on the shoulders. Toad racing and toadbusting are popular pastimes but busters should be aware that some native frogs look quite like toads. Also, toads didn’t ask to come to Australia and should be treated humanely; freezing is the best way to kill them.

Continues...

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Excerpted from Australian Wildlife by Martin, Stella Copyright © 2010 by Martin, Stella. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Introduction About this book The backdrop The land, past and present, Evolution – moving with the times, The human connection, Conservation issues, Climate Habitats The arid zone, Tropical savanna, Forests, Heathlands, The role of fire Mammals Monotremes, Marsupials, Placental mammals Birds Seabirds, Waterbirds, Ground birds, Raptors, Pigeons and doves, Parrots and cockatoos, Cuckoos and coucal, Birds of the night, Swifts and swiftlets, Kingfishers, Bee-eater and dollarbird, Songbirds Reptiles Crocodiles, Turtles, Lizards, Snakes Amphibians and freshwater fishes Frogs, Freshwater fishes Invertebrates Worms, Arachnids, Crustaceans, Insects The marine environment Tropical seas, Temperate seas, Marine mammals, Marine reptiles Where to go New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia Top tips When to travel, What to bring, Health and safety, Spotting wildlife, Minimal impact, Wildlife photography Further reading Index

Editorial Reviews

A definitive, well-arranged and accessible handbook on all manner of Aussie animals, from invertebrates to mammals.

Weekend Australian

This guide is a must-have for wildlife lovers on their way Down Under.

Wanderlust magazine

Bradt Travel Guides simply have the best wildlife coverage of any of the popular guide books.

BBC Wildlife magazine