Bats of the Rocky Mountain West

Since antiquity, bats have been misunderstood and shrouded in mystery. Given misnomers such as fledermaus (flying mouse) and murciegalo (blind mouse), these nocturnal flying mammals were even classified as primates by the great Carl Linnaeus, based on his knowledge of the anatomy of large Old World fruit bats. In this beautifully illustrated volume, bat specialist Rick A. Adams delves into bats' true nature and the roles these fascinating ledurblaka (leather flutterers) play in the natural history and ecology of the Rocky Mountain West. BATS OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN WEST begins with a general discussion of bat biology and evolution as well as regional physiography and zoogeography. In addition, Adams describes -- based on the results of extensive research -- the behaviour and ecology of the 31 species of bats found in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Naturalists and biologists alike will benefit from the detailed species descriptions, colour photographs and illustrations, distribution maps, and echolocation sonograms.

Rick A. Adams is an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado and is founder and president of the Colorado Bat Society.