Koala: A Natural History and an Uncertain Future by Danielle Clode is a fantastic nature book about the history, biology, and future of the koala. Clode dispels myths (no, they don't have abnormally small brains) and raises fascinating questions (is it smart or stupid to conserve energy for 20 hours a day? how many other animals know to ask humans for help? is it really an evolutionary failure to only need what's in your tree to survive?). Yes, as you all know, I love koalas, but I still say with certainty that this is a well-researched, readable book about an animal we don't actually know much about, yet have mythologized intensely.
Koalas existed 100k years before people did; they were decimated by colonization and all that followed, but narrowly survived (perhaps thanks to the intervention of one nature-loving man); now, myths of them as disease-ridden, stupid, silly, useless creatures abound, when actually they are fascinating, un-studied, curious, social, and intelligent creatures. Clode combines philosophy and history to write a compelling book about koalas that establishes them as incredible creatures (who might be imminently at risk from climate change and its impact).
She tracks the evolution and history of koalas, and analyzes why we've been so quick to dismiss them as creatures of interest over the decades, while bringing in Dreamtime (Aboriginal) stories to illustrate the koala's place in Australian habitats. She's a superb researcher in that she knows the right questions to ask, goes to the experts to get her answers, and thinks something through, from its hypothesis to its answers to its remaining questions. Compelling, scientific and rich but still intensely readable.
