Bats of Florida

 

“An invaluable, readable, and usable authoritative reference to Florida bat biology, ecology, conservation, public health, and identification. Anyone who has an interest in this unique group of mammals will wish to have a copy.”—John H. Fitch, Florida Bat Watch

 

“Well-written [and] illustrated . . . celebrates the symphony of adaptations of these creatures of Florida’s night skies. The photographs and drawings . . . provide clear tools for identification; history, folklore, and ecology are blended to form a most readable guide.”—Jerome A. Jackson, author of In Search of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker

 

Florida is home to 20 of the more than 1,000 bat species worldwide. Cynthia and George Marks have created an informative guide that captures both the mystique—and the true nature—of the feared and revered bat. They carefully describe each of Florida’s bat species, including its foraging methods, range, roosting habitat, reproductive behaviors, and echolocation—the process by which bats use sonar to navigate and capture insects in the night sky. This first book dedicated solely to bats in Florida features color photographs of each species, along with numerous black-and-white photographs, drawings, tables, charts, range maps, and an illustrated key for identifying Florida species.

    Cynthia and George Marks have more than 15 years’ experience working with the state’s flying mammals and have cared for and rehabilitated hundreds of injured and orphaned bats. Founders of the Florida Bat Conservancy in 1994, they also help building owners safely remove bat colonies from their premises. Their book offers an objective view of bats and human health, dispelling misunderstandings and separating realistic concerns from exaggerated fears. Bats of Florida also reveals the intriguing stories behind the unoccupied bat tower at Sugarloaf Key and the successfully occupied University of Florida bat house, the largest sanctuary of its kind in North America. Describing how, when, and where to watch for bats, the authors also advise how to conduct bat walks.

    For anyone curious about these fascinating creatures of the night, Bats of Florida provides a thorough, authoritative, well-illustrated guide to their life and lore.