By Grahame Webb & Charlie Manolis

Crocodiles are abundant in most rivers, creeks and swamps in northern Australia and are a major tourist attraction. They are part of the great 'northern adventure' that domestic and international visitors travel so far to experience.

In Australian Crocodiles - A Natural History, Grahame Webb and Charlie Manolis uncover the 'private lives' of crocodiles, with comprehensive studies on reproduction, growth, movement, behaviour, habitats and food.

The authors explore the anatomy, physiology and embryology of these fascinating animals. They also examine attacks on humans, the history of crocodile hunting and farming, surveying, catching and handling.

Bruce Thomson. Lavishly illustrated throughout, this book is required reading for anyone planning an Australian bushwalking expedition, outback adventure of marine holiday. 124 pp.

Did you know that Jorrocks raced till the grand old age of 19? Or that Melbourne Cup - winner Grand Flaneur never lost a race? Or that Sunline was the top stakes-winning mare in the world in her day?The Best Australian Racing Stories is chock-a-block with the victories and tragedies of these amazing champions and many more. 

Whether you are a racing tragic, a lover of horses or a two-bob, once-a-year punter, you will love this horseracing celebration that ripples with all the laughter, romance, heartbreak and humanity of the sport of kings.

First published in 1934, Buffaloes is a memoir of two ex-Gallipoli veterans who went north seeking buffalo hides in what is now Kakadu. This is a laconic and engaging story of mad adventure, mateship and survival, capturing the dangers of shooting buffalo from horseback

On the trail of the Tasmanian Tiger. The Tasmanian tiger is more compelling than Ned Kelly and more famous than Phar Lap. Does this extraordinary animal still roam its island wilderness, or is it lost forever?

Carnivorous Nights is Jerry Seinfeld meets David Attenborough in the wilds of Tasmania - hilarious and scientifically spot on.

Australia has one of the richest and most diverse collections of reptiles in the world. More than 800 species have been named to date.

Complete Guide to Reptiles provides accounts for them all, and most are illustrated with colour photos.

Species are grouped in families, and each entry includes a distribution map, description, notes on preferred habitat and range, and if applicable, the conservation status of the species.

The book also explains how reptiles are classified and how scientific and common names are applied. 512 pages with index.

By Erna Walraven

Even Australians in the heart of cities have frequent encounters with wildlife and we are increasingly aware of how difficult it is for these animals to survive in our modified landscape.

The book takes us into the world of various native animals, be they birds, lizards, frogs or mammals explaining their needs for shelter and food but it also instructs us how to safely and hygienically catch, handle and transport injured animals, how to feed them, house them, rehabilitate them and when and where to release them. A handbook such as this takes the anxiety out emergency situations.

In this revised edition, the useful contact details for the Wildlife Authorities and Products and Manufacturers at the back of the book have been updated and new techniques included. There is also a listing of useful websites to further the readers knowledge.

Croc     Robert Reid

A rip-roaring collection of yarns about what happens when crocodiles and people collide.

Croc! It's a cry that sends shivers of fear through anyone within earshot. It takes the reader into the fascinating world of this dangerous animal, and into the lives of the people who hunted or were hunted by them. These true stories paint a picture of incredible hardship, endurance and the sheer will to survive in one of the world's last great wilderness areas.

Robert Reid interviews the men and women who culled the saltwater crocodile in North Queensland, along with survivors of attacks by these fearsome creatures and those who witnessed scenes of real horror. The people he meets are every bit as colourful and courageous as any fictional characters - in fact it would be difficult to invent some of them.

These tales of tragic fatalities and amazing escapes from the jaws of these primeval animals are the stuff of headlines. They are riveting stories of humans versus beasts in an unforgiving environment.

When the time comes to attack, the crocodile explodes from below the surface in a whirl of teeth and spray, moving faster than the human eye can follow. If need be they can jump and stretch to take prey two metres above the surface, and is quick enough to catch a bird in flight, striking as quickly and as deadly as those other reptiles, the snakes.

The crocodile is related to the dinosaurs, and once shared the world with them. Now they are a remnant from a bygone age but remains one of nature's most effective amphibious designs for land and water.