Like the Sydney Opera House or Uluru, the kangaroo is a unique symbol of Australia. This is the remarkable story of our most famous marsupial, from its ancient origins and prehistoric significance to current-day management and conservation.

Marsupial specialists Stephen Jackson and Karl Vernes examine our sustained fascination with kangaroos-spanning 40,000 years-that allows these engaging marsupials to be instantly recognised by people the world over. The amazing diversity of this group of animals is revealed, ranging from tiny forest dwellers and tree kangaroos to large majestic animals living on the open plains of central Australia and the giant kangaroos that once roamed the Pleistocene landscape. The authors also investigate the natural history of kangaroos - their unique reproduction methods, intriguing behaviour, varied diet and trademark hopping ability - all of which make them such fascinating animals.