A wonderfully illustrated guide to the natural history of the world’s bats Bats are the second-largest order of mammals and inhabit almost every corner of the globe, but these secretive creatures are often maligned and misunderstood. With more than 1,400 species worldwide, they are crucial contributors to ecosystems, controlling insect populations and fulfilling an essential role as pollinators. This one-of-a-kind guide showcases the unique characteristics and extraordinary diversity of our planet’s bat life, providing an inviting introduction to these marvelous creatures. Written by a leading expert and packed with the latest scientific findings, The Lives of Bats blends diagrams and stunning photographs with in-depth coverage of profiled species to offer an incomparable look at these unsung heroes of the natural world. Includes a wealth of stunning color photos Features dozens of representative species profiles that demonstrate the remarkable diversity and adaptability of the only mammals on Earth capable of powered flight Covers key topics such as anatomy, echolocation, diet, thermoregulation, mating, diseases, and immunity Discusses human relationships with bats Essential reading for wildlife lovers everywhere

Provides information on the latest findings in the field of bat research.

"Tuttle's account forever changes the way we see these poorly understood yet fascinating cratures." -- page 4 of cover.

Well adapted to numerous habitats, bats comprise almost one quarter of all species of mammals. This book is a comprehensive introduction to their biology. Suitable as a textbook for undergraduates and written by one of the world's leading researchers, the book offers an accessible summary of the extensive body of research on bats. The book takes a broad physiological perspective and devotes separate chapters to specific physiological systems as well as to bat ecology and phylogeny. It features a thorough discussion of echolocation, which continues to be the subject of intense research, and describes many European and neotropical bats, as well as North American species. "Biology of Bats" is an important resource both for students and researchers.

Describes the origin, characteristics, behaviors, and habitats of bats, explains the human threat to bats, and profiles various species of these creatures.

Bats have always gotten a bad rap. This book teaches readers what these mysterious and misunderstood creatures of the night are really like.