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Bats: An Illustrated Guide to All Species
The ultimate illustrated guide to all known bat species
Bats: An Illustrated Guide to All Species explores bats and their fundamental role in our ecosystems through lavish full-color photographs and lively narrative. From the Giant Golden Crowned Flying Fox, a megabat with a wingspan of more than five feet, to the aptly named Bumblebee Bat, the world's smallest mammal, the number and diversity of bat species have proven to be both rich and underestimated. Nocturnal, fast-flying, and secretive, bats are difficult to observe and catalog. This richly illustrated handbook presents bats' evolution, biology, behavior, and ecology. It offers in-depth profiles of four hundred megabats and microbats and detailed summaries of all the species identified to date. Complete with an introduction exploring bats' natural history and their unique adaptations to life on the wing, Bats includes close-up images of these animals' delicate and intricate forms and faces, each shaped by evolution to meet the demands of an extraordinarily specialized life.
Bats: An Illustrated Guide to All Species explores bats and their fundamental role in our ecosystems through lavish full-color photographs and lively narrative. From the Giant Golden Crowned Flying Fox, a megabat with a wingspan of more than five feet, to the aptly named Bumblebee Bat, the world's smallest mammal, the number and diversity of bat species have proven to be both rich and underestimated. Nocturnal, fast-flying, and secretive, bats are difficult to observe and catalog. This richly illustrated handbook presents bats' evolution, biology, behavior, and ecology. It offers in-depth profiles of four hundred megabats and microbats and detailed summaries of all the species identified to date. Complete with an introduction exploring bats' natural history and their unique adaptations to life on the wing, Bats includes close-up images of these animals' delicate and intricate forms and faces, each shaped by evolution to meet the demands of an extraordinarily specialized life.
400 pages, Hardcover
Published April 9, 2019
42 people are currently reading
530 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 29, 2019
Bats are good.
May 7, 2019
MUST HAVE for bat lovers!
A quick (50ish pages plus many illustrations) biological introduction to bats in general preludes a guide to all living bat species--EACH OF THEM PHOTOGRAPHED IN FULL COLOR. I've never come across such a complete guide before, it's an amazing resource and also presented in an entertaining and readable fashion even for armchair zoologists.
The only thing that could have made it better would be an appendix of known extinct bat species as well, considering there are (sadly) a good number that have died out within the last few decades.
A quick (50ish pages plus many illustrations) biological introduction to bats in general preludes a guide to all living bat species--EACH OF THEM PHOTOGRAPHED IN FULL COLOR. I've never come across such a complete guide before, it's an amazing resource and also presented in an entertaining and readable fashion even for armchair zoologists.
The only thing that could have made it better would be an appendix of known extinct bat species as well, considering there are (sadly) a good number that have died out within the last few decades.
October 21, 2023
It probably isn’t fair to say that this book is an illustrated guide to all bat species. While it’s true that all of the known species are named in the text, there are only detailed descriptions of a handful of them and there are photographs of an even smaller number of carefully chosen representative species. That being said, the photographs themselves are absolutely stunning, capturing a wide array of bats in all their bizarre and beautiful glory. It would have been nice if there had been multiple images — a closeup and a picture of the bat in flight or in the roost, for example — for each species, but I definitely enjoyed the portraits and the fact that they provided a much more intimate view of bats than is typically available.
My biggest problem with the book — apart from the fact that my favourite species, my beloved Daubenton’s bat, apparently didn’t warrant a photograph! — is a rather shallow one, but I’m going to include it because it did affect my enjoyment of the book. The pages are printed on a strange sort of paper that shows every smudge and fingerprint in vivid — and, above all, distracting — detail. It was impossible to keep the book as beautiful as the photographs inside.
My biggest problem with the book — apart from the fact that my favourite species, my beloved Daubenton’s bat, apparently didn’t warrant a photograph! — is a rather shallow one, but I’m going to include it because it did affect my enjoyment of the book. The pages are printed on a strange sort of paper that shows every smudge and fingerprint in vivid — and, above all, distracting — detail. It was impossible to keep the book as beautiful as the photographs inside.
January 2, 2024
I already loved bats before this book. But oh my. This book is beautifully illustrated, each bat is described in detail with love and admiration, all throughout never losing its scientific standard.
If you aren't already in love with bats, after this book you will.
If you aren't already in love with bats, after this book you will.
August 30, 2024
Nothing in this world could have prepared me for the visored bat. I can’t believe I’m alive at the same time as them. What a wild world we live in.
September 12, 2020
I came here for cute bat pictures and oh boy did I get them.
A glossary and organizational tables would have been appreciated; there is also a bothersome number of minor typographical errors.
A glossary and organizational tables would have been appreciated; there is also a bothersome number of minor typographical errors.
July 7, 2019
I had not given bats much thought before I read this book. I assumed there had to be one species of bat that lived who knows where. I was wrong. There are over 1,300 species of bats. A few of the species are even colorful.
I enjoyed looking at the pictures in this book. It was fun to read the description of each species. I only wish I had a better memory so I could remember everything I read.
Even after reading this book if I ever say a bat I would cover my head and run. I skittish around flying things. Birds also scare me. No bat or bird has ever harmed me. So I am not sure how I got to be scared of them.
I would be like john Candy and Dan Aykroyd in the movie The great outdoors. There was a scene where the two actors have to get a bat out of there cabin. They put on a lot of improvised protective gear. That would be me if I had to get a bat out of a rented cabin. But, I bet the bat would be more scared of me than I was of it.
Its amazing to me that anything is know about bats considering that they are active mostly at night. I think some bats are active in the daytime. I am probably wrong about that.
Even if you don't want to read the text I think that this book is worth looking though for the wonderful color pictures of bats.
I like batman so why am I scared of bats. Go figure. Batman protects. He does not injure.
I was surprised to learn that different species of bats eat different things. Some bats eat insects, other eat nectar, others invertebrates, others eat fruit. I was already aware that bats pollinated plants.
This book makes me want to get a bat detector and night vision goggles and head out into the night so I can see some bats. Maybe I would find a new species and have it named after me.
I enjoyed looking at the pictures in this book. It was fun to read the description of each species. I only wish I had a better memory so I could remember everything I read.
Even after reading this book if I ever say a bat I would cover my head and run. I skittish around flying things. Birds also scare me. No bat or bird has ever harmed me. So I am not sure how I got to be scared of them.
I would be like john Candy and Dan Aykroyd in the movie The great outdoors. There was a scene where the two actors have to get a bat out of there cabin. They put on a lot of improvised protective gear. That would be me if I had to get a bat out of a rented cabin. But, I bet the bat would be more scared of me than I was of it.
Its amazing to me that anything is know about bats considering that they are active mostly at night. I think some bats are active in the daytime. I am probably wrong about that.
Even if you don't want to read the text I think that this book is worth looking though for the wonderful color pictures of bats.
I like batman so why am I scared of bats. Go figure. Batman protects. He does not injure.
I was surprised to learn that different species of bats eat different things. Some bats eat insects, other eat nectar, others invertebrates, others eat fruit. I was already aware that bats pollinated plants.
This book makes me want to get a bat detector and night vision goggles and head out into the night so I can see some bats. Maybe I would find a new species and have it named after me.
September 4, 2022
This was a wonderful guide to bats. Each bat had a detailed, yet brief, description of its appearance, habitat, roosting and breeding habits, and its endangered status. The photography by Merlin Tuttle was beautiful and captivating, like always. If you are a fan of bats and are looking for a guide on them, I highly suggest this book.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
January 14, 2023
One of my favourite books. I love bats and this book was perfect for me when I just discovered bats and wanted to learn about them, and still is useful now, when I know quite a lot about them already.
Would highly recommend! it has absolutely beautiful pictures and the writing is great for beginners as well.
Would highly recommend! it has absolutely beautiful pictures and the writing is great for beginners as well.
July 20, 2019
Love seeing all the different ways bats evolved to take advantage of their unique ecological niche! The wild variety in their face morphology is the best, and they're all very cute. Even the ones that look like wantons with leaves for ears and lint clinging to them.
August 24, 2021
Very Interesting book about a VERY misunderstood animal. A lot of amazing facts and statistics about behaviors and habitat. Photographs and range information. This is a comprehensive guide to bats. If you like interesting an amazing creatures you will enjoy this book.
April 17, 2023
Exactly what it says on the title! I wanted to know more about different bat species, and I finally do. It's impressive how much information they fit into every page. And the photos! Merlin Tuttle has done an excellent job photographing each unique bat species from around the world.
April 22, 2025
Such a beautiful, beautiful book. The photos captured are absolutely stunning! The first 50 or so pages discuss bats as a whole, then the rest is an encyclopedia of all known species. What an incredible achievement to collect all of these wonderful animals into one volume.
May 9, 2019
Smithsonian Books are always winners in my book, and this was wonderful! I found this book so fascinating, and I learned so many new bat facts! The pictures were gorgeous, bats = CUTEST!
November 17, 2020
Wonderful reference book for adults who have a serious interest in bats. Tuttle has spent decades studying these mammals, and this book is full of his photos.
April 9, 2021
Lots of cool and weird bats from around the world with pictures, (tiny) range maps and lots of info. Organized by family, this is a great book for those interested in bats of all types.
September 24, 2021
Fascinating and informative "deep dive" into an animal I had limited knowledge of. Well laid out and detailed illustrations.
March 9, 2023
Very interesting book. I think I like bats now.
December 1, 2023
A very good book. Plenty of photographs. The majority of the bats are so so tiny. I am amazed at how many bats are to be found in the Americas.
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March 17, 2024Idk how to rate this but one million stars for Merlin tuttles insane photography
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March 29, 2024A wonderful comprehensive book on bats and bat species around the world. Gorgeous pictures.
September 8, 2024
I really like bats and learned so much from this book. There are so many different kinds of bats. What a cool world we have.
September 21, 2024
Bats are the best. This book is gorgeous and informative. can't recommend it enough
March 1, 2025
A beautiful visual guide to a vast variety of bats! Each family of bats begins with an introductory overview of what makes that family unique.
Read
March 23, 2025Enjoyed thumbing through this gorgeous book at the library.
Currently reading
May 25, 2025I simply wanted to read more about bat facts. This book is particularly thick, though. So it has been a challenge.
December 15, 2025
Wow, such a beautiful book. I loved the knowledge on bat conservation and debunking myths on bats 🦇 and humans.
October 3, 2019
OK I looked at the pictures...does that count as reading? Great, encyclopedic source on all variety of bats and flying foxes...beautiful photographs.
October 4, 2021
A 50 page introduction to the biology of bats and their history with people followed by a section on Yangochiroptera and a section on Yinpterochioptera. These sections are beautifully illustrated and the bats are academically refered to as cute: “attractive”, “beautiful” and “appealing”. Photos are given of every species.
Bats are mammals that have the ability to fly and echolocate. They eat insects, ground dwelling invertebrates, rats, birds, frogs, fish and in some cases, other bats. Some bats are called Vampire bats and feed off the blood of mammals. The ecosystem services they provide are as pollinators, seed planters, pest controllers, suppliers of fertiliser and ecotourism.
Usually, microbats use echolocation to feed kn insects, nectar and fruit, while megabats tends to be wider eyed and lack laryngeal echolocation. They feed on fruit and some nectar. Bats can live for 30-40years and have one pup per year. They are very socially intelligent. For example, frog eating bats can learn a new frog call after just a few trials and can rememeber them when captured by scientists years later. Bats have also been shown to remember friends over years and demonstrate altruism.
The smallest bat species is the Kitti’s Hog nosed Bat (2grams and 3cm long), while the biggest bat is the Large Flying-Fox (1kg and 30cm long). Their closest relatives are carnivores, hoofed mammals, whales and pangolins.
Bats are classified as Chiroptera (hand wings) and this order contains 1300 species, about 20% of extant mammals. Pteropodiforms (Yinopterochiroptera) and Vespertilioniformes (Yangochiroptera) are the two sub orders of classification. The former contains the megabats and a few microbats and the latter contains all the remaining microbats.
Megabats do not echolocate, except one genus (Rosettus), which make the clicks using their tongues not their larynx. Microbats on the otherhand, use laryngeal echolocation.It seems that fruit eating, non echolocating bats evolved from insect eating, echolocating bats.
The skin that stretches between the limbs is called patagium. The oldest true bat fossils are 52-55.5million years old. Unlike birds, bats do not have pneumatized bones.
Megabats have a better sense of sight than microbats and have a tapetum lucidum, a membrane in the retina of the eye that reflects light back and allows for better night vision. Most bats can see in ultraviolet.
Bats can perform skin breathing (expelling co2 and intaking oxygen). A study of Wahlbergs Epaulatted Fruit Bat revealed than 10% of bats oxygen intake and co2 release occured directly via the blood vessles running through the thin, bare skin of the patagium.
Really good species guide.
Bats are mammals that have the ability to fly and echolocate. They eat insects, ground dwelling invertebrates, rats, birds, frogs, fish and in some cases, other bats. Some bats are called Vampire bats and feed off the blood of mammals. The ecosystem services they provide are as pollinators, seed planters, pest controllers, suppliers of fertiliser and ecotourism.
Usually, microbats use echolocation to feed kn insects, nectar and fruit, while megabats tends to be wider eyed and lack laryngeal echolocation. They feed on fruit and some nectar. Bats can live for 30-40years and have one pup per year. They are very socially intelligent. For example, frog eating bats can learn a new frog call after just a few trials and can rememeber them when captured by scientists years later. Bats have also been shown to remember friends over years and demonstrate altruism.
The smallest bat species is the Kitti’s Hog nosed Bat (2grams and 3cm long), while the biggest bat is the Large Flying-Fox (1kg and 30cm long). Their closest relatives are carnivores, hoofed mammals, whales and pangolins.
Bats are classified as Chiroptera (hand wings) and this order contains 1300 species, about 20% of extant mammals. Pteropodiforms (Yinopterochiroptera) and Vespertilioniformes (Yangochiroptera) are the two sub orders of classification. The former contains the megabats and a few microbats and the latter contains all the remaining microbats.
Megabats do not echolocate, except one genus (Rosettus), which make the clicks using their tongues not their larynx. Microbats on the otherhand, use laryngeal echolocation.It seems that fruit eating, non echolocating bats evolved from insect eating, echolocating bats.
The skin that stretches between the limbs is called patagium. The oldest true bat fossils are 52-55.5million years old. Unlike birds, bats do not have pneumatized bones.
Megabats have a better sense of sight than microbats and have a tapetum lucidum, a membrane in the retina of the eye that reflects light back and allows for better night vision. Most bats can see in ultraviolet.
Bats can perform skin breathing (expelling co2 and intaking oxygen). A study of Wahlbergs Epaulatted Fruit Bat revealed than 10% of bats oxygen intake and co2 release occured directly via the blood vessles running through the thin, bare skin of the patagium.
Really good species guide.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews