"Natural history down under." Stretching from the equator to the sub-Antarctic, Wild Australasia is an illustrated tour of the Australian region's natural history and ecology. Australasia -- once a part of prehistoric supercontinents -- has been physically isolated from the rest of world for some 45 million years. As a result, it contains a breathtaking array of distinct and one-of-a-kind species. Readers will discover that 90% of its reptiles and 70% of its birds are unique to this environment. Australasia is home to mammals that lay eggs, huge birds that can't fly, marsupials that can, and the world's highest concentration of deadly reptiles and venomous snakes. The landscape is also quite exceptional: Australia is the flattest and driest inhabited continent on earth. The surrounding seas contain dazzlingly colorful reefs and are dotted with exotic strings of islands. This book covers the main continent of Australasia and surrounding islands of New Zealand, New Guinea, New Britain, New Caledonia and Lord Howe Island. Wild Australasia is filled with stunning color photographs, including unique aerial photos and groundbreaking images revealing locations and animal behavior never seen before.