Batpedia: A Brief Compendium of Chiropteran Curiosities

An enchanting, fact-filled treasury for the bat lover in everyone, from A to Z Batpedia is a fun and eclectic collection of lore and learning about these elusive denizens of the night sky. Featuring nearly one hundred alphabetical entries on everything from prehistoric bat fossils to cultural icons like Batman and Dracula, this enticing compendium takes you on an unforgettable journey into the hidden world of these astonishing flying mammals. Nancy Simmons dispels common myths about bats, explains the traits that make them so special, describes how bats contribute to our ecosystems, and discusses how scientists like herself use the latest technology to study bats. With more than fifteen hundred living species, bats make their livings in a variety of ways. Simmons introduces you to bats from around the world, including charming fruit-eating bats, bats that sip nectar from flowers, fishing bats, carnivorous bats, and yes, even vampire bats. She discusses key traits like flight, echolocation, roosting, and nocturnal habits, and highlights the current threats to bats and steps you can take to help with bat conservation. This entertaining and informative book also describes places where you can visit to safely watch flights of bats emerge to go hunting in the evening. With captivating drawings by wildlife artist and author Fiona Reid, Batpedia is an engaging and enlightening celebration of these marvelous but misunderstood creatures. Features a cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design