Flying foxes aren’t really foxes—they’re bats. Compared to many kinds of bats, flying foxes can look like giants. Some can have a 6-foot wingspan! Inside this volume, vibrant photographs of these awesome animals allow readers to get up close and personal with flying foxes in the wild. Readers will be delighted to learn about the different kinds of flying foxes, where they live, what they eat, and much more.
Illuminating the unique physical features and behaviors of six nocturnal animals, this new series takes a narrative approach toward life-science topics. As we peer into nocturnal forests and skies, from nighttime awakening to sunlight retreat, atmospheric text and images knit together stories of survival, noting the adaptations that enable each creature to carve out its own niche in its particular habitat. A detailed diagram points out such characteristics in-depth, allowing more visual learners to match facts with real images. Peer into the nocturnal skies with this high-interest introduction to the large fruit bats known as flying foxes.
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.
Introduces readers to the roles of bats in world ecosystems, as well as threats to bat populations and conservation efforts. Eye-catching infographics, clear text, and a “That’s Amazing!” feature make this book an engaging exploration of the importance of bats.
What if you were a bat and found food by using your ears? Brown bats use echoes to determine the location and size of their prey. Fly through the night with these nocturnal creatures in this title for young students.
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.
An Open Letters Review Best Book of the Year A leading expert in animal behavior takes us into the wild to better understand and manage our fears. Fear, honed by millions of years of natural selection, kept our ancestors alive. Whether by slithering away, curling up in a ball, or standing still in the presence of a predator, humans and other animals have evolved complex behaviors in order to survive the hazards the world presents. But, despite our evolutionary endurance, we still have much to learn about how to manage our response to danger. For more than thirty years, Daniel Blumstein has been studying animals’ fear responses. His observations lead to a firm conclusion: fear preserves security, but at great cost. A foraging flock of birds expends valuable energy by quickly taking flight when a raptor appears. And though the birds might successfully escape, they leave their food source behind. Giant clams protect their valuable tissue by retracting their mantles and closing their shells when a shadow passes overhead, but then they are unable to photosynthesize, losing the capacity to grow. Among humans, fear is often an understandable and justifiable response to sources of threat, but it can exact a high toll on health and productivity. Delving into the evolutionary origins and ecological contexts of fear across species, The Nature of Fear considers what we can learn from our fellow animals—from successes and failures. By observing how animals leverage alarm to their advantage, we can develop new strategies for facing risks without panic.
Did you know that almost a third of the world’s 1,300 species of bats are in serious trouble? The latest, updated eduition of a teacher and classroom favorite with two brand new illustrations and spotlights on vanishing species and how we can help. Perfect for budding scientists, environmentalists, and nature lovers. Chased from their caves and forests, sickened by cave-dwelling fungi, and swept from the skies by wind turbines, bats have no place to hide. And human actions often contribute to the problems. How can we help ensure that there will be a safe place for bats? In simple yet compelling language, acclaimed science writer Melissa Stewart showcases twelve types of North American bats, from the familiar little brown bat to the Mexican free-tailed bat. Her clear narrative shows the threats these bats face, and updated informative sidebars describe a variety of efforts to save them. In addition, remarkable full-color illustrations vividly and accurately depict bats within the ecosystems that support their survival. Range maps and additional bat facts are also included. This newly updated nonfiction picture book is part of a prize-winning series designed to inform young readers about a wide range of environmental issues and to present ways people can help protect animals and their natural habitats.
