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 behavior 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, color photographs and illustrations, distribution maps, and echolocation sonograms. Bats of the Rocky Mountain West is a unique and valuable reference for professional bat biologists, naturalists, and wildlife enthusiasts interested in the conservation and ecology of bats in the region. "This is a thorough and interesting examination of bats in general and bats of the interior western United States in particular. Based on nearly two decades of fieldwork and exhaustive review of the literature, this book is much more than a field guide, providing an ecological and evolutionary context for these remarkable animals." —David M. Armstrong, University of Colorado-Boulder "Adams' tribute to understanding the bat is timely and important for all." — Daily Times-Call "Bats of the Rocky Mountain West  is a unique and valuable reference for professional bat biologists, naturalists, and wildlife enthusiasts interested in bats in the region." —Boulder Book Store 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. He is also coeditor of Ontogeny, Functional Ecology, and Evolution of Bats. New Mint Condition Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon Guaranteed packaging No quibbles returns