Australian Mammals

Biology and Captive Management

Second Edition Edited by: Stephen M. Jackson

Practical guidance for zookeepers, veterinarians, zoologists, researchers and students.

Australian Mammals: Biology and Captive Management is a complete guide to the husbandry of all groups of Australian mammals. This second edition has been updated based on the latest research, bringing together current knowledge of the biology and behaviour of each species in captive situations and providing guidance for hand rearing. It covers advances from the last 20 years, including developments in assisted breeding, genetic techniques, updated taxonomy and the importance of Australian mammal welfare, both physical and mental. + Full description

Written in collaboration with experts in captive management, ecology and veterinary science, chapters are presented for each taxonomic group of Australian mammals. Each chapter covers animal welfare, natural history, housing requirements, general husbandry, feeding requirements, handling and transport, health requirements, behaviour, breeding and artificial rearing.

Australian Mammals provides practical guidance for zookeepers, veterinarians, zoologists, researchers and students.

- Short description

News

This second edition is publishing June 2025. Need your copy sooner? The First Edition (2003) is still available to purchase as an eBook.

Sales in Australia and New Zealand only.

Reviews

Praise for the first edition:

“This is a landmark publication and the reference for all those interested in maintaining animals in captivity. It matters not whether you are a professional, research institution, wildlife carer, National Parks personnel or an enthusiastic amateur – this book is for you... it contains the work and knowledge of a large number of experts and professionals, many of whom I have come to know personally over the years, I believe it will become a 'must have' volume on the library shelves of people seriously interested in the future of Australian mammals.”
Ed McAlister AO, President, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums

“This is a 'must-have' for all veterinarians with any likelihood of working with Australian mammals. Many clients of veterinarians will also find it valuable... It will become one of those books with pages well worn by frequent referral or just because of its inherent magnetism.”
Dr I Denney, Australian Veterinary Journal 83(4), April 2005

“The best book on its subject ever to appear... an essential purchase for any zoo holding animals from the region it is devoted to... every zoo should buy this book."
Nicholas Gould, International Zoo News 51(2), March 2004

“Australian Mammals is an impressive guide to our current knowledge of Australian native mammal husbandry and will certainly be a worthwhile purchase for anyone involved in the captive care of mammals."
Jenny Martin, Austral Ecology Vol 30, 2005

“Every wildlife carer, zoo, and breeding facility (in Australia and elsewhere) that holds or breeds Australian mammals should have one of these volumes.”
Karen Firestone, Australian Mammalogy Vol 27, 2005

Details

Hardback | June 2025 | $280.00
ISBN: 9781486315277 | 864 pages | 270 x 210 mm
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
B&W photographs, Illustrations

Features

Includes chapters on animal welfare, platypus, short-beaked echidna, carnivorous marsupials, numbat, bandicoots and bilbies, koala, wombats, possums and gliders, macropods, dugong, rodents, bats, dingo, seals and dolphins.
Each taxon-based chapter includes contributions from at least one veterinarian, one field ecologist and one zookeeper.
Fully revised and updated second edition presents the very latest Australian mammal research.

Foreword
Introduction
Preface to the second edition
List of contributors

1: Welfare of Australian mammals in human care
2: Platypus
3: Short-beaked echidna
4: Carnivorous marsupials
5: Numbat
6: Bandicoots
7: Koala
8: Wombats
9: Possums and gliders
10: Macropods
11: Dugong
12: Rodents
13: Bats
14: Dingo
15: Seals
16: Dolphins

Appendix 1: Glossary
Appendix 2: Suppliers and wildlife agencies
Appendix 3: Taking body measurements
Index

Authors

Dr Stephen M. Jackson is a zoologist who has studied the behaviour, ecology, captive management and taxonomy of Australian mammals for over 30 years. He has had various roles including zookeeper, zoo curator, zoo regulator, lecturer, wildlife consultant and author. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales, associate of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC and currently works at the Australian Museum in Sydney.