The Secret Life of Wombats

by James Woodford

The secret life of wombats

Genres: Nonfiction, Australia, Animals, Science, Nature, Natural History, Travel

226 pages

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Sarah Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted this book to be twice as long, I enjoyed it so much. The book weaves facts about wombats,stories about people who passionately research wombats, and sprinkles in information about other marsupials along the way. I loved wombats before the book, but I love them even more now. The descriptions of them are hilarious, both those offered by the author (e.g. " a predator prepared to take a bit out of a common wombat's backside would feel as though it had bitten the business end of a toilet brush") and others ("appearance of great stumpy strength"). As someone who moved to Australia, I cannot understand why these animals aren't more widely appreciated, but I think this book makes a great contribution to that. I particularly hope that it will contribute to greater awareness of the plight of the northern hairy-nosed wombat, about which I knew nothing before reading the book; but was deeply depressed to learn it's on the precipice of extinction. This is a quick, entertaining, and informative read that I would highly recommend.

[GrimMandarin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been some time since I read this, but I still think of this as the best popular science book I've read about Australia wildlife (apologies to Tim Low!).

I'll dig back into this one again some day.

[Vikki Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about these fasinating creatures. I found the book an easy read and most informative.

[Klimtchick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe I am more closely related to a wombat than a turtle, slow digestion and all.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needed more info on the Tassie wombats

[Eva Norman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Underjordiske gange, fact throwing men de er mærkelige

[De Exell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent information about wimbats

[Rachael Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

[Jeannette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightful species and book. Lots of tunneling through the wide out back, north and south looking for the creatures and only catching glimpses at best. Alas, somehow I didnt come away from the book loving Wombats (except for the name) let alone the Australians who plow up their burrows and habitat, murder them (and much of their other indigenous wildlife). But that is true of all good books on rare animals these days, we are losing so much of our planet's biodiversity and fascinating beasts, including the wombat. This book helps you like wombats and delights with the digging and exploring of burrows and the people who love wombats.

[Carmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in a bookshop not long after it was published and bought it because although I love wombats, I didn't know anything about them. The book surpassed my expectations with well researched facts about wombats but also great stories such as Peter Nicholson who when 15 yrs old in boarding school at Timbertop, would sneak out at night and study them in their burrows. After a while they accepted him and just kept about their business. And yes it was a dangerous thing to do because they have complex underground systems. Such a fascinating story. Highly recommended.

[Peter Holz · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book delves into the intriguing lives of the three wombat species, the writing itself falls a bit flat. It lacks energy and, at times, drifts along much like the wombats it is describing. I expected more facts, information and amusing anecdotes. Still, it expanded my wombat knowledge, particularly regarding the northern hairy nose and introduced me to the idea that a human being could actually crawl through a wombat burrow without getting stuck (mostly). If you don't hear from me again then that is probably where I will be, trying for my very own Darwin award.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, almost entertaining while being educational, little read.
It is surprising how little we know about these creatures in our own back yard.
Woodford tries to keep it bright and hopeful but we know how much damage we've done over the intervening years. How are they doing now? (as I write this I can only hope we get a government that might actually do some good for the environment and our future.)

[Rachel Lowry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book sets the standard for non fiction story telling. Ive read it twice, both sittings were 7 years apart, and I fell in love with wombats and their secret world just a little more each time.

[Heather Browning · Rating 3 out of 5]

What's not to love about wombats? At times this book strayed a little too far into the technical, but the stories about wombats and their researchers were so endearing it was worth sticking around. I'd had no idea just how bad things were for the northern hairy-nosed wombats and as soon as I finished this I anxiously jumped online to see how things were progressing in the almost 20 years since the book came out. Imagine my infinite relief at seeing stringent protection measures had been put in place and the population has more than doubled in that time! Some small measure of heart-warming good news amongst our environmental catastrophes. I'm also more determined than ever to one day become a carer to rehabilitate injured and orphaned wombats!

[Simon Pockley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book that is part homage to the remarkable Geelong Grammar schoolboy, Peter Nicholson who, in 1960, took advantage of the bush outpost of Timbertop, and became a world authority on wombats though his courageous interest in exploring wombat burrows. James Woodford uses Peter's work as a springboard to an examination of both the current state of knowledge about this extraordinary marsupial and the sad plight of the the hairy nose wombat which is facing extinction.

[Brianna Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a well written, informative and fascinating read that I enjoyed every second of. I didn’t think I could learn more about wombats but yet here I am with more appreciation for these marsupials. I also love the effort, research and time this took to not only write this book but also the countless amount of field work it took to have obtain the information and build the baseline for wombat research.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author takes you on a fascinating journey through the Australian bush to discover the known and less-known facts about the amazing marsupial only found in a few areas of Australia - the wombat. The book is captivating, charming and funny. I'm so excited to head to Narawntapu National Park next week with these stories in mind.

[Derelict Space Sheep · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easily digestible in the moment, if somewhat unfocussed and largely forgettable. Woodford’s travelogue style doesn’t really enhance the content, yet wombats remain sufficiently wondrous to make this book worthwhile. A good jumping-off point for those interested in animal ecology and wombat conservation.

[Spike · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fantastic! I did not expect it to be so engaging and beautifully written, but it was brilliant. Being fascinated by wombats, it was a really good introduction to the species and an eye opener in so many ways (about them, how they've been treated, and how they continue to be treated). I recommend to EVERYONE!

[David A]

Five stars

This book took you on the journey with the writer ,as though you were there .it contained remarkable bush scenarios an average person would never get the opportunity to see

[KarenKeighery · Rating 4 out of 5]

an incredible true story

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gathered together in one 241 page read - information covering the Australian wombat as known in 2001. I learnt lots. If you are at all curious about wombats this is highly recommended.

[Trent Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

wombats have long been my favourite animal and this book does them such a service. Fantastic read for any animal lover!
Funny, insightful and a wholesome read

[Rach Denholm · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting find! Each chapter deals with a differing aspect of something to do with wombats.

[MR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drôle et insoupçonné

[Glen Thickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive view of wombats past, present and the problems some of them face heading into the future.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally got around to reading this, 20 years after publication. It provides lots of interesting info on wombats, and I have great respect for their ability to survive on nothing much at all. The best part is the early story of Peter Nicolson investigating wombats as a teenager in 1960. Perhaps the book should just have reproduced his paper in full. I really dislike the style where the author of a popular science book, even someone as personable as James W, has to insert themselves into the story to make it readable.
Overall, it was a very short and easy to read book. 5 stars for the wombats, 3 stars for the book.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you kate and murray tucker

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have like to have learned more wombat facts and more about what Peter Nicholson originally revealed about their behaviours

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love wombats!

"wombats are the hobbits of the australian bush, living underground...their tunnels are designed to fit their own bodies snuggly. it is part of a wombat's defence strategy that it can seal its home with an impenetrable posterior. even so, wombats are able to execute a barrel roll with a twist that allows them to flip around a full 180 degrees. they have the flexibility of a contortionist...and are able to flatten themselves like dough under a rolling pin and slip through cracks less than 10cm high. they can easily run 100m in under 10 seconds. in fact, they can maintain a speed of 40 k/hr for over 150m...also superb swimmers. frighteningly efficient wrestlers...with tough hides a full 1 cm thick layer of skin and a plat of bone, muscle, and cartilage on their backs that enables them to squeeze under any intruder entering their tunnel and slam them against the roof. the largest burrowing herbivores on the planet. the plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones in wombats are the lowest recorded of any mammal, indicating a metabolism that is highly efficient. wombat poo is the driest mammal poo on earth b/c they are one of the most efficient consumers of water that mammal evolution has ever created. the complexity of their brain means they are probably as intellingent as carnivorous placental mammals and aspects of their senses are considered to be akin to that of primates. they are almost certainly the most intelligent of the world's marsupials." p 7-11