Fruit Bat
All About Bats
Flying mammals with super hearing - discover everything about these mysterious, nocturnal creatures!
What Are Bats?
Bats are mammals capable of flight, making them unique among mammals. They are divided into two categories: true bats and flying foxes. Most bats are adapted to life in darkness, which is why they are active at night. During the day, they sleep. Out of 6,600 mammal species, 1,400 are bats. Following rodents, which have 2,500 to 2,600 species, they represent the second most diverse order of animals.
Main Characteristics of Bats
1. They Can Fly
The wings of bats are modified hands with fingers. A thin membrane, known as the flight membrane, stretches between the fingers. When the animals spread their fingers, the membrane tightens and forms wings that allow them to fly.
2. Most Are Nocturnal
Most bats become active only when darkness falls. They venture out at night when fewer predators are around. Interestingly, in the Azores (an archipelago in the Atlantic), bats have no enemies and are therefore active during the day.
3. They Use Echolocation (Microbats Only)
Bats can emit very high-pitched sounds in rapid succession. These sounds are so high that they are referred to as ultrasonic sounds. When they encounter an object – such as a wall, a tree, or insects – the sounds bounce back. This phenomenon is called an echo. The sounds create a sort of audible map of their surroundings.
What Are the Differences Between Bats and Flying Foxes?
There are many distinctions between these two types of flying mammals, but here are the key points summarized:
Microbats
Bats are generally small creatures. Their eyes are also small. Since they use echolocation for navigation, they do not need to have good eyesight. Bats primarily feed on insects.
Flying Foxes
Flying foxes are typically larger animals. They possess large eyes that allow them to see well. Only a few species of flying foxes utilize echolocation. Their diet mainly consists of fruits, nectar, and pollen.
Bat Family Tree
Amazing Facts About Bats
- There are around 1,400 species of bats.
- Bats are divided into microbats and megabats (or flying foxes).
- There are 1,200 species of microbats and 200 species of megabats.
- Bats are the only mammals that can fly.
- Bats are found everywhere in the world - except the polar region.
- Depending on the species, bats feed on insects, fruits, nectar, small vertebrates or even blood.
