BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//sebbo.net//ical-generator//EN NAME:Ocean County Library X-WR-CALNAME:Ocean County Library BEGIN:VEVENT UID:a6df6d5d-974f-449c-8d43-9032391e06d4 SEQUENCE:0 DTSTAMP:20260808T181332Z DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241002T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241002T150000 SUMMARY:The Hidden World of Tropical Bats - Virtual Talk LOCATION:Toms River Branch\nToms River Branch X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Toms River Branch;X-APPLE- RADIUS=10;X-TITLE=Toms River Branch:geo:39.952431,-74.195737 GEO:39.952431;-74.195737 DESCRIPTION:To register\, visit https://libraryc.org/theoceancountylibrary /57289.\nhttps://theoceancountylibrary.libnet.info/event/11685979 X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

To register\, visit https://libraryc.org/theoceancountyli brary/57289

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Join us in kicking off October as we welcome three Smithsonian-affiliated scientists to teach us about the remarkable world of tropical bats!

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For decades\, scientists at the Smithsonian Trop ical Research Institute have studied the remarkable biodiversity of bats o n Barro Colorado Island in Panama\, where an astonishing seventy-six speci es coexist. Now\, for the first time\, Smithsonian scientists&rsquo\; expe rtise pairs with the stunning photography of \;National Geographic&nbs p\;contributor Christian Ziegler for a captivating visual journey into the fascinating world of these elusive night creatures\, to bring you the boo k \;Bat Island: A Rare Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats.

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Bats are unique among mammals: they have acquired true flight\, t hey provide essential ecosystem services\, and represent the ecologically most diverse group of mammals worldwide. Synthesizing decades-worth of int ensive study\, Drs. Rachel Page\, Dina Dechmann\, Teague O&rsquo\;Mara\, a nd Marco Tschapka provide authoritative insight alongside 150 photographs that showcase bats&rsquo\; extraordinary environmental adaptations and ric h natural history.

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This presentation will cover topics from the bo ok\, such as the \;diverse sensory abilities of bats\, their foraging strategies\, roosting ecologies\, and social systems. \;Bat Island&nbs p\;presents decades of study of the hyper diverse bat population on Barro Colorado Island in addition to the most comprehensive and long-term datase ts on tropical bats. The book and this presentation highlights how bats ar e threatened by habitat fragmentation and land degradation\, and communica te the initiatives needed to ensure the survival of these animals\, which are critical to maintaining healthy\, balanced ecosystems.

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And let &rsquo\;s not forget\, the award-winning photojournalist Christian Ziegler &rsquo\;s photography as the images within the book illuminate the unique beauty and allure of bats and the tropical rainforest in Panama. Register now for this rare look into \;Bat Island!

\nhttps://theoceancountyl ibrary.libnet.info/event/11685979 URL;VALUE=URI:https://theoceancountylibrary.libnet.info/event/11685979 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR