bats

When Don Mitchell was approached by a biologist with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department about tracking endangered Indiana bats on his 150-acre farm, Mitchell’s relationship with bats, and with government, could be characterized as distrustful, at best. But the flying rats, as Mitchell initially thinks of them, launched him on a series of “improvements” to his land that would provide a more welcoming habitat for the bats, and a modest tax break for himself and his family. Mitchell’s tale is as profound as it is funny, a journey that changes Mitchell’s relationship with Chiroptera, the land, and, ultimately, his understanding of his own past. Ruminating on the nature of authority, the purview of the state, and the value of inhabiting one’s niche, Mitchell reveals much about our inner and outer landscape, in this perfectly paced and skilled story of place.

A brilliant photographic essay about the Grey-headed flying-fox. Filled with information that is often little known, this immensely readable book is aimed at all those interested in this creature, whether on the amateur or professional level, and pitched at a level that will be appreciated by senior students onwards. Over 200 photographs reveal the flying-fox’s life cycle from birth to old age, its feeding habits, intelligence, individuality and quirks.

Bats are highly charismatic and popular animals that are not only fascinating in their own right, but illustrate most of the topical and important concepts and issues in mammalian biology. This book covers the key aspects of bat biology, including evolution, flight, echolocation, hibernation, reproduction, feeding and roosting ecology, social behaviour, migration, population and community ecology, biogeography, and conservation. This new edition is fully updated and greatly expanded throughout, maintaining the depth and scientific rigour of the first edition. It is written with infectious enthusiasm, and beautifully illustrated with drawings and colour photographs. Also available in paperback [stock id 33380].

This guide features information on habitats, breeding, predators and threats, the benefits from bats, bat conservation, as well as caring for bats.

Although bats are often thought of as cave dwellers, many species depend on forests for all or part of the year. Of the 45 species of bats in North America, more than half depend on forests, using the bark of trees, tree cavities, or canopy foliage as roosting sites. Over the past two decades, it has become increasingly clear that bat conservation and management are strongly linked to the health of forests within their range. Initially driven by concern for endangered species – the Indiana bat, for example – forest ecologists, timber managers, government agencies, and conservation organizations have been altering management plans and silvicultural practices to better accommodate bat species. “Bats in Forests” presents the work of a variety of experts who address many aspects of the ecology and conservation of bats. The chapter authors describe bat behavior, including the selection of roosts, foraging patterns, and seasonal migration as they relate to forests. They also discuss forest management and its influence on bat habitat. Both public lands and privately owned forests are considered, as well as techniques for monitoring bat populations and activity.

The first part of the book covers the life history and behavioural ecology of bats, from migration to sperm competition and natural selection. The next section focuses on functional ecology, including ecomorphology, feeding, and physiology. In the third section, contributors explore macroecological issues such as the evolution of ecological diversity, range size, and infectious diseases (including rabies) in bats. A final chapter discusses conservation challenges facing these fascinating flying mammals.