This chapter begins by describing an event where wildlife biologists were getting a bat census in Albany. This was during winter because bats are hibernating in stable caves. When they got there, they were shocked at a peculiar sight. They found dead bats and it looked like they were dunked in talcum powder. The next winter, dead bats were also found with a white powdery substance on them, and it continued to happen in subsequent winters. This powder was concluded to be a fungus that was prominent in the cold. It was called geomyces destructans and it was accidentally imported to America from Europe. This chapter focuses on the transport of animals across continents. Darwin discussed that it is impossible for animals to travel across continents without the help of humans. Naturally, there are some processes that allow certain species to travel, such as fungi being blown through the wind but there are many limits because of land masses like oceans. Kolbert participated in a bat census with Al Hicks, and when they were there, they also found dead bats who had the fungus on them. Once again, chapter ten demonstrates how humans alter natural systems. The transport of geomyces destructans and animals to different parts of the world affects species negatively. Kolbert states, “As in the high stakes game, two very different things can happen when a new organism shows up. The first, which might be called the empty chamber option, is nothing. Either because the climate is unsuitable, or because the creature can’t find enough to eat, or because it gets eaten itself.” (201) This shows how when animals are brought to different parts of the world, it alters certain ecosystems. A transported animal can either die off, or it can thrive in this new part of the world but affect the ecosystem.
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