Bats: Biology and Behavior [Hardcover]

John Altringham (Author), Tom McOwat (Illustrator), Lucy Hammond (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 22, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0198540752 | ISBN-13: 978-0198540755

Bats are arguably the most diverse of all animals, comprising as much as one quarter of mammals. This book covers all the bats and their natural history, with a unique emphasis on how their lives exemplify processes and principles of broad biological relevance. Topics range from their most distinctive features (echolocation, flight) and individual and group behavior, to their modes of reproduction and interaction with other organisms and the environment. No other book covers all this ground with a blend of up-to-date scientific information and fine line illustrations. Professional and amateur naturalists will find this an indispensable reference.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A valuable reference for bat enthusiasts (amateur or professional), and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the biology of mammals." --Journal of Mammalogy

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

John D. Altringham is at University of Leeds. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 22, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198540752
• ISBN-13: 978-0198540755
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,988,666 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT book on Bats!, August 5, 2001

By 

merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bats: Biology and Behaviour (Paperback)

I don't have a science background but I was looking for a book on bats with more detail than just the basics that all the books I had found up until this point provided. This book is great!!! Its technical yet understandable and it goes to a depth of info that the lay person who just wants to have a greater understanding for bats needs.

To give you an idea of some of the content, the chapters include: evolution and diversity, flight (how the wings work, evolution of flight, demands on the bat), echolocation (how they make the sounds, how they avoid being confused by othre bats, using echolocation for navigation, use of echolocation in finding food), hibernation (facinating!!! how they stay warm, the cost of being in torpor state), reproduction & development (great if you've got a bat house and wonder what's going on in there), roosting behavior, feeding, and the importance of bats/conservation.

I just think this is a great book. I had so many questions about bats - the more I thought about them and wondered about them the more complex they became to me and this book really shed light on my questions. Its terrific. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in going below the surface knowledge of what bats are and what they do and where they fit in the web of life. They'e incredible.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, November 28, 2010

By 

Samantha (Santa Cruz, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bats: Biology and Behaviour (Paperback)

I really like this book. I am a biologist and I have read multiple books on bats and this one is both scientific and easy to read. It is accessible to a student, professional, or someone who just wants to know more about bat behaviour.