The Genius Bat

<strong>'Brings the poster-species of Halloween out of the shadows, so we can better appreciate the flying mammal.' <em>National Geographic</em></strong>

Usually, you'll hear a bat before you see it - the gentle flutter of wings, their high-pitched chatter as they dive and roll for insects. Only occasionally do you spot them, a blur against the evening sky.

With nearly 1,500 known species, bats are among the most successful mammals on earth. From the tiny bumblebee bat - which could rest comfortably on your index finger - to the giant golden-crowned flying fox with its 1.5-metre wingspan, they are evolutionary marvels, adapted to practically every environment.

<em>The Genius Bat </em>brings to life these amazing creatures, as well as the obsessive and sometimes eccentric people who study them. From muddy rainforests to star-covered deserts, from guest houses in Thailand to museum drawers full of fossils in New York, this is an eye-opening account of a remarkable animal.

<strong>'A marvellous book.' Nancy Simmons, Curator of Mammalogy, American Museum of Natural History</strong>

<strong>'Fascinating... Yovel clearly explains bats' vital contributions to a healthier planet.' Merlin Tuttle, author of <em>The Secret Lives of Bats</em> and founder of Bat Conservation International</strong>