Bats of Trinidad and Tobago by Geoffrey A Gomes and Fiona A Reid, serves as a comprehensive natural history and field guide to all bat species recorded in Trinidad and Tobago. It includes an introduction to bat biology, i.e. bat physiology and ecological habitats, species distribution, population status, dietary ecology, species reproduction biology, and echolocation behaviour where known. Insight into Amerindian bat mythologies, local folklore as it relates to bats, and the exuberance of the Carnival Bat are also explored. The ways in which Trinidadian bats are helping to advance knowledge in the biomedical fields of cardiology, neurology, and human female reproductive issues are revealed. The secret primordial relationships that exist between trees and bats are brought to light, including all indigenous, exotic and naturalised tree species known to benefit from seed-dispersal or pollination services provided by bats in the forests of Trinidad and Tobago. Practical guidance is provided on the humane eviction and exclusion of bats from dwellings and public buildings. Bats of Trinidad and Tobago is a wide-ranging, lavishly illustrated publication with full colour photos and art throughout.
"I've been lucky enough to visit Trinidad and Tobago ten times as a filmmaker, directing many sequences about the islands' amazing bats for David Attenborough's Trials of Life, Tales of the Calypso Isles with Paul Keens-Douglas and other films. The phenomenal variety of species, many of whose behaviour had been studied in detail, and expert guidance from Farouk Muradali, Geoffrey Gomes and others made my trips very productive. It's wonderful to find so much expert bat knowledge distilled in this stunning, wide-ranging book, with remarkable photos and artwork and to see all the good things bats do as pest controllers, pollinators and seed dispersers highlighted."
– Dr. Nick Upton, Film-maker for the BBC/PBS
"Bats of Trinidad and Tobago is the most comprehensive treatment of these elusive and essential creatures to date, exploring their biology and ecology, human-bat interactions, and species accounts. Experts and novices alike will benefit tremendously from the substantial efforts of Geoffrey Gomes, who has worked tirelessly for decades in Trinidad and Tobago to research these animals. The world renowned illustrator, Fiona Reid, brings life to this meticulous work. My collaboration with Geoffrey has given me hope for bats' future conservation, and the publishing of this book will only embolden these efforts."
– Dr. Luke Rostant, University of the West Indies (UWl)
"Bats of Trinidad and Tobago offers a comprehensive guide on local bats with an eclectic Trinidadian style that uniquely presents the plight of one of the most misunderstood creatures on the planet. Bats are often dismissed locally as simply disease carrying creatures, which is far from the truth. [...] As this book clearly elucidates, bats represent keystone species that play vital roles in maintaining local ecosystems, and it is a misconception to equate bats in general with disease. While Bats of Trinidad and Tobago is a valuable resource for researchers, it captures the eye with its beautiful illustrations and is well formatted, making it an easy read suited to a wide range of audiences. It will certainly be an essential text for field naturalists for years to come."
– Dr. Janine Seetahal, DVM, MPH
"I've been lucky enough to visit Trinidad and Tobago ten times as a filmmaker, directing many sequences about the islands' amazing bats for David Attenborough's Trials of Life, Tales of the Calypso Isles with Paul Keens-Douglas and other films. The phenomenal variety of species, many of whose behaviour had been studied in detail, and expert guidance from Farouk Muradali, Geoffrey Gomes and others made my trips very productive. It's wonderful to find so much expert bat knowledge distilled in this stunning, wide-ranging book, with remarkable photos and artwork and to see all the good things bats do as pest controllers, pollinators and seed dispersers highlighted."
– Dr. Nick Upton, Film-maker for the BBC/PBS
"Bats of Trinidad and Tobago is the most comprehensive treatment of these elusive and essential creatures to date, exploring their biology and ecology, human-bat interactions, and species accounts. Experts and novices alike will benefit tremendously from the substantial efforts of Geoffrey Gomes, who has worked tirelessly for decades in Trinidad and Tobago to research these animals. The world renowned illustrator, Fiona Reid, brings life to this meticulous work. My collaboration with Geoffrey has given me hope for bats' future conservation, and the publishing of this book will only embolden these efforts."
– Dr. Luke Rostant, University of the West Indies (UWl)
"Bats of Trinidad and Tobago offers a comprehensive guide on local bats with an eclectic Trinidadian style that uniquely presents the plight of one of the most misunderstood creatures on the planet. Bats are often dismissed locally as simply disease carrying creatures, which is far from the truth. [...] As this book clearly elucidates, bats represent keystone species that play vital roles in maintaining local ecosystems, and it is a misconception to equate bats in general with disease. While Bats of Trinidad and Tobago is a valuable resource for researchers, it captures the eye with its beautiful illustrations and is well formatted, making it an easy read suited to a wide range of audiences. It will certainly be an essential text for field naturalists for years to come."
– Dr. Janine Seetahal, DVM, MPH
