''A comprehensive illustrated guide to the fascinating biology and natural history of bats.''Phil Richardson's expert text tells the amazing and often bizarre story of bats from around the world and the challenges they face. Unfortunately, most bat populations in North America are declining, largely due to habitat loss and disturbance of nesting sites.''Bats'' describes these mammals' complex life cycles and explains how anyone can watch and study bats and help to conserve them. Color illustrations reveal bat anatomy, including the key features of their wings and legs, and striking photographs show bats in their habitat and mid flight. The book includes: Physical characteristics and reproductionSight and echolocationFeeding habits and hibernationBat evolution and biologyBat behaviorCarnivorous batsHorseshoe and Old World leaf-nosed batsVampire bats and their relativesTailed batsVesper batsSpecies distribution mapNew information on the ''white nose'' virus threatening North American bat populationsAlmost anywhere humans live there are likely to be bats nearby. Highly readable and beautifully illustrated, ''Bats'' provides a welcome introduction to these elusive and unfairly maligned creatures.