You wouldn't want to live in a world without bats. They pollinate plants, help forests grow, eat millions of bugs, and more. Yet, bats are so misunderstood. When people think of bats, they often think of Halloween or vampires. Look inside to read the truth about bats and see some close-up photos of this truly amazing animal. San Francisco Book Review: "As an author of a variety of pieces of non-fiction literature for children, Marta Magellan sets out to debunk the historic myths and clear misconceptions about the creatures we call bats. Despite their usefulness in cutting down the world's supply of pesky bugs and their extraordinary ability to pollinate plants and help in the efforts of regrowing depleted forestry, many perceive bats to be disease-striken, blood-sucking, eerie creatures who hang out in dark and dreary places waiting to attack. Magellan supplies an ample amount of unique and fascinating facts about Chiropteras with hopes of changing the viewpoints of those most skeptical. She informs her readers that bats are, in fact, the world's best pollinators over long distances and that some of these creatures can eat as many as 1,000 bugs in an hour. The world would certainly be more bug-infested without them. She also notes that one of the most feared among bats, the vampire bat, may be of significant help in treating blood clots, a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs in humans. Their saliva is a hundred times more potent than the current medications used to treat this ailment. It successfully destroys the clot without adversely effecting anything else in the blood. While some bats do carry diseases, foxes, dogs, and raccoons are more likely to pass rabies on to humans than are bats. They become paralyzed when infected with this devastating disease, thus rendering them much less a risk to humans. Magellan concludes with urging her readers to help protect the habitats of these incredible creatures, so they can continue to be of great benefit to the human population. This extraordinary work of non-fiction captures the essence of what these small, but remarkable creatures can do. Amazing, Misunderstood Bats contains a plethora of interesting and original knowledge about bats. It's effectively convincing and a far cry from being dry and encyclopedia-like. Graphic, vibrant pictures accentuate the text, and an array of boxes filled with fun facts are included that help break up the flow of the words throughout the book. Additionally, a glossary and index are provided to aid in clarifying unfamiliar vocabulary, as well as to offer guidance in finding specific topics. The striking photographs throughout will likely capture the attention of children as young as five or six and as old as nine or ten. While the younger audience may enjoy learning some of the fun facts; the older ones are more likely to bask in the details and overall content of the text. Elementary school science teachers may find this book a useful resource for their classrooms, and it's ideal for libraries in both public and private elementary schools to shelve or display. The overall quality is great, and the content is truly exceptional." Jennifer Padgett

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

This extravagantly illustrated handbook features the work of famed nature photographer Merlin D. Tuttle and in-depth profiles of megabats and microbats.

Explore the Everyday Lives of Bats! Bats have been misunderstood for generations, yet they are essential to a healthy ecosystem. From insect control to pollination services, we need bats more than most people know. Bat Basics separates fact from fiction in a fascinating, fun guide to the world’s only flying mammals. Author Karen Krebbs has been studying bats for more than 30 years. She lectures, teaches, and even trains government workers on the subject—and now she’s sharing her expertise with you. Learn the Bat Basics, such as how they use echolocation, why they hibernate, and what they eat. Discover bat myths that you probably thought were true. Find out how to bat-proof a house. Then turn to the field guide section, and identify a variety of common and important-to-know species. Projects, activities, and tips for helping the bat population round out this comprehensive guide. Get Bat Basics, and read all about why bats should be celebrated—not feared.

There are more than 1,300 species of bats—or almost a quarter of the world’s mammal species. But before you shrink in fear from these furry “creatures of the night,” consider the bat’s fundamental role in our ecosystem. A single brown bat can eat several thousand insects in a night. Bats also pollinate and disperse the seeds for many of the plants we love, from bananas to mangoes and figs. Bats: A World of Science and Mystery presents these fascinating nocturnal creatures in a new light. Lush, full-color photographs portray bats in flight, feeding, and mating in views that show them in exceptional detail. The photos also take the reader into the roosts of bats, from caves and mines to the tents some bats build out of leaves. A comprehensive guide to what scientists know about the world of bats, the book begins with a look at bats’ origins and evolution. The book goes on to address a host of questions related to flight, diet, habitat, reproduction, and social structure: Why do some bats live alone and others in large colonies? When do bats reproduce and care for their young? How has the ability to fly—unique among mammals—influenced bats’ mating behavior? A chapter on biosonar, or echolocation, takes readers through the system of high-pitched calls bats emit to navigate and catch prey. More than half of the world’s bat species are either in decline or already considered endangered, and the book concludes with suggestions for what we can do to protect these species for future generations to benefit from and enjoy. From the tiny “bumblebee bat”—the world’s smallest mammal—to the Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox, whose wingspan exceeds five feet, A Battery of Bats presents a panoramic view of one of the world’s most fascinating yet least-understood species.

Amara loves bats, so when she learns there are none near her new home due to habitat loss, she overcomes her feelings of helplessness and inspires her community to take action. Includes facts about bats and bat houses.

Learn about a year in the life of a little brown bat named Otis. This gorgeous and lyrical picture book follows a year in the life of a little brown bat named Otis as he learns to be a hunter, escape predators, and find a mate. Stunning, realistic illustrations celebrate the beauty of these mysterious creatures as readers learn important facts through an engaging and fascinating story. The book also includes back matter with more in-depth information, a glossary, and further resources.