Review by Booklist Review
Cuddly koalas may be ubiquitous in children's literature, but there aren't that many adult tales out there, a situation that author and animal behavior specialist Clode seeks to redress in this engaging, authoritative overview. Koalas, a genetically unique Australian marsupial, were generally ignored for centuries but are now the subject of international convocations. Clode reviews current research findings on their origins, migration patterns, life cycles, historic and contemporary interactions with humans, conservation efforts, and chances of survival in the face of climate change and habitat loss (it's estimated that as much as 40 percent of Australia's koala population perished in the 2021 wildfires). Clode shares enlightening details about her numerous interactions with koalas, including encounters in the wild, zoos, animal sanctuaries, and her own backyard. She interviews experts ranging from animal biologists and park rangers to Indigenous storytellers, bringing in elements of Australia's social and political history as she describes how koala populations have migrated and adapted. She ends on a cautiously positive note, giving hope that koalas will be around for future generations.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Koalas "deserve better than to be simultaneously patronised as fluffy children's toys and left to suffer from increasing diseases in ever-reducing habitats," according to this entertaining paean to the marsupials. Australian biologist Clode (Voyages to the South Seas) digs into the evolution, biology, and behavior of koalas, examining their prehistoric ancestors, how marsupial brains differ from other mammal brains, and why some koalas appear drawn to humans. She highlights the creatures' extraordinary senses and notes that they are one of the few animals known to have fingerprints, which may enhance their ability to sense vibrations. Acute hearing enables males to detect whether a rival is larger based on the frequency of its bellow, obviating the need to engage in physical competition for territory. Warning of the dangers that climate change poses for the animals, Clode reports that forest fires over the past several years have killed off a large chunk of the species and that because koalas don't molt, they struggle to make it through the hot summers. Research offers an insightful peek into the world of koalas and makes a persuasive case that though they've been underestimated, koalas must not be taken for granted. Like Leila Philip's Beaverland, this is the outing animal lovers didn't know they needed. (Jan.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Award-winning Australian biologist Clode frequently spotted koalas in her backyard but began studying them in earnest when they were threatened by wildfire. Here she charts the evolutionary biology and ecology of the beloved but endangered koala, the only survivor of a once-diverse family of uniquely Australian marsupials.
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Koalas are an icon of Australian wildlife, but there is much more to them than meets the eye. Even in a country filled with peculiar creatures, the koala stands out as one of the oddest. Cute and (largely) inoffensive, they attract attention from locals and tourists alike, but there is still a great deal of mystery about their lives. Australian biologist Clode, who has long been fascinated by koalas, sets out to fill some of the gaps, combining her own observations with the work of experts and researchers. Perhaps the strangest thing about the animals is that their diet consists almost exclusively of eucalyptus leaves, which are poisonous to most animals. However, notes the author, they have strong teeth that thoroughly grind the leaves as well as a remarkably complex liver. Clode sees koalas as a wonder of evolution in their suitability to the arboreal life. They seem to be designed for sitting in trees, with toughened skin on their rumps, and their hands--not paws, insists Clode--have an extra thumb, useful for climbing and gripping. There is, however, a downside to specialization. Even small changes to their environment can be devastating. For decades, it looked as if koalas might become extinct due to land clearing and bushfires, but laws to protect their habitats and innovative relocation programs have seen their numbers increase to sustainable levels. Some have even migrated into suburban parks. In a few areas, writes Clode, the problem is overpopulation, with so many of them that the food sources are depleted. In other areas, the numbers remain low, and the reasons are unclear. Diseases, particularly a dangerous strain of chlamydia, are a constant threat. Nevertheless, they seem to be a remarkably resilient species. In this charming and intelligent narrative, we get the sense that people will be happily interacting with koalas for a long time to come. A vivid journey into a fascinating corner of the natural world. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
