Bats are the only true flying mammals and account for about a quarter of all mammal species. This book covers many aspects of bat biology, including their evolutionary origins, roles in ecosystems, reproductive biology, foraging behaviour, hibernation, and genetics. The subject of fruit eating bats of the old world tropics are discussed. The coverage is international, and with contributors from nine countries the diversity of current bat research, as well as the diversity of the bats themselves, is evident.