Australian Wildlife

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 clich¿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 wild