The story of the Tasmanian devil is a remarkable one - surprising, controversial, funny, and tragic.

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Product Description

This is the first book published on the animal that has the distinction of being the world's largest marsupial carnivore, and it is packed with information that has never before been accessible to the general reader. The story of the Tasmanian devil is a remarkable one - surprising, controversial, funny, and tragic. Few mammals have been so negatively named, but this book aims to reveal the true nature of the Tasmanian devil. Far from being a scavenging, ferocious oddity, it is a treasured and valuable wildlife species, and one that faces the threat of extinction. It was in 1803 that a boatload of convicts, English officers and sailors gave the Tasmanian devil its name. Now, for the first time since Europeans first encountered this intriguing and misunderstood animal, the devil's story is being told.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #677580 in Books
• Published on: 2005-11-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 225 pages

About the Author
David Owen is the author of nine novels, most of which are set in Tasmania. He is the editor of the Australian literary journal Island and the author of Thylacine: The tragic tale of the Tasmanian tiger. David Pemberton is the Vertebrate Curator at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in Hobart.

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Customer Reviews

tasmanian devil
This book claims to be the only book on the Tasmanian Devil the largest living marsupial carnivore which became extinct in Australia 500 years ago but survived in Tasmania as it has no natural predators there.
There are chapters on evolution(the devil appears to be getting smaller),relationships with other animals,conservation disputes,behaviour in captivity,and relations with humans.All are well written but rely heavily on diary and society notes plus letters.
The chapter on devil facial tumour disease is very informative but hopes for a cure seem to be far off.It has been suggested on anecdotal evidence that this a disease that occurs every 50 years or so.(uninfected devils are to be taken to isolated islands to try to keep some survivors)
The sections on Errol Flynn and the trademark dispute with Warner Brothers are mere padding and have little to do with the devil.
The colour pictures are of very poor quality-there is only one good shot,while the black and white pictures are on matt paper with no attempt at enhancement.The type size is to small and the print to grey making it difficult to read.