A Natural History Of Australian Bats

To hold a little microbat in your hand, its body the size of the end of your thumb, is nothing but astounding. Its head is nearly the size of a man’s fingernail, its tiny ears are twitching as it struggles to get free, and then it bares its teeth to try and scare you into letting it go. Inside that tiny head is a powerhouse of information. Some of our little bats know the entire landscape of our east coast, and can pinpoint a cave entrance in dense forest 500 km from its last home. When they get there they know what to do – where to forage, which bat to mate with and how to avoid local predators. A Natural History of Australian Bats uncovers the unique biology and ecology of these wonderful creatures. It features a description of each bat species found in Australia, as well as a section on bat myths. The book is enhanced by stunning colour photographs from Steve Parish, most of which have never been seen before.

Information on all aspects of bat biology, describing their special adaptations to flight and echolocation.

This is the first book on Australian bats that focuses on their natural history. It describes the bioregions, describe what bats do in them and the ecosystem services that they provide. The book features a description of the 80.90 species in Australia, a section on bat myths and stories and rock art from indigenous Australians.

Sometimes kept as family pets, flying foxes are much beloved in Australia. This work covers issues such as descriptions of Australia's 13 species of flying foxes and blossom bats, their physiology of flight, ecology, diet and behaviour, and management of populations.

An identification guide to all 75 known species of Australian bats. Species are illustrated with colour photographs, and each species account includes a detailed description of the bat, measurements, a distribution map and notes on where they live, what they eat, and how they find food and reproduce. Australian Bats also provides general information on these fascinating animals: their evolution, why they hang upside down, roosting and reproduction, echolocation, and how to catch, survey and care for bats, including health hazards for carers. An identification key to the bat families is included, with important features illustrated by line drawings and photographs, as well as illustrated keys to all the species.

Presents a guide to what scientists know about bats, detailing their origins, evolution, diet, habitat, reproductive process, and social structure, and offers a discussion of echolocation and these mammals' role in the ecosystem.

This book, the Biology and Conservation of Australasian Bats, follows from the successful 3-day forum of the same name held in April 2007 at the Australian Museum. The forum was organised jointly by the Royal Zoological Society of NSW and the Australasian Bat Society.