Platypus Matters: The Extraordinary Story of Australian Mammals

Scientifically Informed and Funny: A Firsthand Account of Australia's Wonderfully Unique Mammals and the Impact of Our Perceptions on Their Future

Imagine a platypus - an extraordinary creature that lays eggs, produces milk without nipples, and can detect electricity. Or a wombat, whose teeth never stop growing, whose feces are cube-shaped, and who defends itself with a reinforced rear. Then there are the antechinuses, tiny marsupial carnivores whose males don't live to see their first birthday, as their frenzied sex lives drain their immune systems. These are just a few examples of the astonishing mammals found in Australia, each with incredible and unfamilar features.

In "Platypus Matters," naturalist Jack Ashby shares his love for these often-misunderstood animals. Drawing on his firsthand experiences meeting living marsupials and egg-laying mammals during fieldwork in Tasmania and mainland Australia, as well as his work with thousands of zoological specimens collected over the past two centuries, Ashby's tale not only explains historical mysteries and debunks myths, particularly about the platypus, but also reveals the toll these myths can take.

Ashby makes a compelling case that calling these animals "weird" or "primitive," or incorrectly implying that Australia is an "evolutionary backwater" - a perception rooted in the country's colonial history - has undermined conservation efforts. Australia now has the worst mammal extinction rate of any place on Earth.

Informed by his scientific expertise and written with humor and wisdom, Ashby's celebration of Australian wildlife aims to open eyes and change minds about how we contemplate and interact with the natural world, not just in Australia, but everywhere. Through this book, readers will gain a deeper appreciation for the remarkable diversity and adaptations of these unique creatures, and a better understanding of the importance of preserving their habitats and protecting them from the threats they face.

Platypus Matters is an important and timely work that challenges us to reconsider our preconceptions about the "strange" animals of Australia, and to recognize the vital role they play in the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Ashby's passion for these fascinating mammals shines through, inspiring readers to join him in advocating for their conservation and ensuring their survival for generations to come.

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