Mammals Australia has a rich, unique mammal fauna of about 380 species, ranging from huge whales, kangaroos and related macropods to tiny rodents and insectivorous bats. Some are widespread throughout the continent: others are restricted to small areas. A number have become extinct in recent times following European settlement.  During a 30 million year isolation of the Australian continent, marsupials - those mammals which raise their young in a pouch - thrived and diversified. Predators evolved - even a marsupial lion flourished for millions of years. Another marsupial predator, the Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) was ruthlessly driven to extinction by early settlers during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Placental mammals arrived as the continent neared the Asiatic tectonic plate. With ice ages lowering sea levels, new mammals were able to enter the continent. At the same time, human invasions occurred and with them came the Dingo, an Asian wild dog which proved to be a new and efficient predator and probably replaced the Marsupial Lion and the mainland Thylacine.  Australia's diverse mammal-marsupial fauna includes 2 species of monotremes (mammals which lay eggs) - the Platypus and Short-beaked Echidna The Koala - a bear-like marsupial which lives in Eucalypt trees About 50 species of macropods (kangaroos, wallabies and the like) 2 Tree-Kangaroos which live high in the rainforest canopy Possums which glide up to100 metres between trees  Marsupial moles which spend their lives underground burrowing through sand Hopping Mice (small rodents) which hop on their back legs, like kangaroos A small rodent which builds a stick nest up to 2 metres across and 1 metre high   A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia by Peter Menkhorst and Frank Knight Field guide layout with all species illustrated, identification keys for difficult species, distribution maps. Details on behaviour, habitat, food, status. Frank Knight illustrated The Graham Pizzey & Frank Knight Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. 269 pp, 104 colour plates. 158 x 235 mm (6.5 x 9.25 inches) Cost: Single copy $39 plus airmail postage/packing ($24 to UK, Europe, South Africa; $19.50 to USA, Canada; $16.50 to Pacific and Indian ocean areas and Japan; $13.20 to New Zealand; $9 within Australia) Add to Cart