Another 20 species are considered to be declining and may also be proposed for listing. The thought of losing more than half of our bat species is disconcerting. The bat book discusses the issue of rabies in a manner I like. Their first point is that fewer than 40 people have died from rabid bat bites since the 1950s. That's not even one person a year.
Bats are fascinating animals, and the book gives an excellent account of each species.
The largest bat found in the United States is Underwood's mastiff bat in southern Arizona. The wingspan is up to 22 inches, and the bats can fly faster than 25 miles an hour. Wagner's mastiff bat, a native of southern Florida, has a wingspan up to 21 inches. This bat book is clearly a major contribution to our understanding of the world around us, and the authors are to be commended for a superb, professional job.