British Bats

About this book

Complete your New Naturalist collection with Harper Collins's facsimile versions, which are printed on demand. British Bats was first published in 2003.

Bats are arguably the most successful and diverse mammals ever to evolve. In Britain, one in three of our native land mammals is a bat. Their ecology and behaviour is fascinating. Few mammals live closer to humans; in fact many species roost unnoticed in our homes, and some are now almost entirely dependent on man-made structures for their survival. Bats are the only mammals capable of powered flight. They are also one of just two groups which have a sophisticated echolocation system (the other being the dolphins and their relatives).

In British Bats, John Altringham discusses all the different aspects of the natural history of bats, from their origins and evolution to their behaviour, feeding habits and reproduction. He also discusses the threats to the survival of bats, and how we are working to conserve them. Finally, he gives an account of how to watch and study bats in the wild.

Contents

Editors' Preface
Authors Foreword and Acknowledgements

1. From Dark Obscurity
2. Bats, an Evolutionary Success Story
3. The Biology of Temperate Bats
4. An Ecological Synthesis
5. British Bats, Past and Present
6. Conservation
7. Watching and Studying British Bats
8. Identification: How to Identify a Bat in the Hand

Appendices
References and Further Reading
Gazeteer
General Index
Species Index

Customer Reviews