Bettongs, Potoroos and the Musky Rat-Kangaroo

(Paperback)

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The rat-kangaroo was one of the first Australian marsupials to be seen alive in Europe. Collected close to the settlement at Sydney Cove, a pair of them were exhibited in London in 1789. These animals were called by the local Aboriginal people 'Pot-o-roo', and by the European settlers, 'Kangooroo rat'. They were the Long-nosed Potoroo, Potorous tridactylus, the first of what we now call 'Rat-kangaroos' to be discovered. Bettongs, Rat-kangaroos and Potoroos provides an extraordinary glimpse into the secretive lives of these unusual marsupials.

Reviews

"I have long been a fan of the Australian Natural History Series, which I regard as one of the most important publishing initiatives in the field of Australian biology. This series is a path leading us to more knowledge of this wondrous land - and this book is an excellent step further along it."--Ian Fraser, ABC Radio