Sensory Ecology of Mammals

Abstract

The sensory ecology (visual and auditory perception only) of selected mammalian groups is reviewed and the discussion centres around illustrating sensory adaptations to certain diverse habitats. The chapter is divided into 3 sections dealing in turn with terrestrial, amphibious, and marine mammals. The first section on terrestrial mammals considers vision in dim and bright environments, auditory specializations of desert rodents, and the sensory ecology of echolocation in bats. In the remaining 2 sections, the visual and auditory adaptations of amphibious and marine mammals are discussed. An extensive list of references is provided.