Microbat

Brown Long-Eared Bat Brown Long-Eared Bat - Photo: Gucio_55/Shutterstock

Microbat Facts

Size	1.1-5.5 inches (29 mm to 14 cm)
Speed	Up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
Weight	0.05-7.7 ounces (1.7-220 grams)
Lifespan	4-10 years
Food	Insects
Predators	Domestic cats, martens, birds of prey, owls
Distribution	Worldwide (except Antarctic and Polar regions)
Habitat	Forests, caves, rock crevices, attics, ruins
Order	Chiroptera
Family	Microbats
Scientific name	Microchiroptera
Characteristics	The only mammal that is able to fly

Main Characteristics

Microbats and fruit bats are the only mammals in the world capable of flight. The most distinctive features of microbats include large ears, small eyes, and a tiny, furry body. Their primary sense is hearing, and they use echolocation to navigate in the dark.

Species

There are over 1,270 species of bats worldwide. The most common bats in the USA include the big brown bat, hoary Bat, mexican free-tailed bat, eastern red bat, silver-haired bat, and evening bat.

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Among All Bats, the Brown Long-Eared Bat Has the Longest Ears. Among All Bats, the Brown Long-Eared Bat Has the Longest Ears. - Photo: COULANGES/Shutterstock

Bat Records

Category	Bat species	Record
Longest sleeping	Brown bat	20 hours
Longest ears	Brown long-eared bat	1.5 inches (4 cm)*
Smallest bat	Kitti's hog-nosed bat	1.1 inches (29 mm)
Widest wingspan	Spectral bat	40 inches (102 cm)
Longest tongue	Tube-lipped nectar bat	3.34 inches (8.49 cm)**
Flying altitude	Mexican free-tailed bat	10,000 feet (3,000 meters)
Flying speed	Mexican free-tailed bat	100 mph (160 km/h)
Largest colony	Mexican free-tailed bat	20 mio. animals

* Body length: 1.9 inches (5 cm); body length: 2.2 inches (5.6 cm)

Distribution and Habitat

Bats can be found all over the globe, except in the Arctic and Antarctica. Europe is home to 54 species, while the USA has 47 species. The majority of the over 1,200 species thrive in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia.

Way of Life

Bats are nocturnal creatures. During the day, they rest in caves, rock crevices, trees, attics, ruins, and other sheltered spots. At night, they hunt for insects. Most species are quite social and form large colonies. However, there are also species that prefer a solitary lifestyle, such as the hoary bat and the eastern red bat.

Bat Anatomy and Appearance Bat Anatomy and Appearance - Photo: Martin/stock.adobe.com

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Anatomy and Appearance

Size and Weight

The largest bat in the world is the Australian ghost bat, measuring 3.9-5.5 inches (10-14 cm) in body length and weighing 7.7 ounces (220 grams). The spectral bat boasts the largest wingspan at 40 inches (102 cm). On the other hand, the smallest bat is the Kitti's hog-nosed bat, with a body length of only about 1.1 inches (29 mm) and a weight of 0.05-0.07 ounces (1.7-2 grams). Due to its tiny size, it is also referred to as the bumblebee bat.

Wings

The wings of bats are essentially large hands. A flight membrane stretches between their long, slender fingers. This is why their scientific name is Chiroptera, derived from the Greek words for "hand" and "wing." Like humans, they have a thumb and four fingers.

Diet

Bats are carnivorous, feasting on all the insects that annoy us ;) They particularly enjoy flies, mosquitoes, fruit flies, beetles, wasps, and stink bugs. There are also a few species that feed on fruits or blood.

Big Brown Bat Big Brown Bat - Photo: Matthew L Niemiller/Shutterstock

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Behavior

Why Are Bats Nocturnal?

At night, there are more insects available. Additionally, fewer predators are active during the night.

Hibernation

Bats living in the chilly areas of Europe and North America enter hibernation. Since there are no insects available in winter, it’s logical for them to sleep through the cold and food-scarce months. To ensure they can endure this time comfortably, they accumulate fat reserves in the fall, similar to how bears prepare. While hibernating, they depend on these stored reserves. Their body temperature decreases considerably during this period, hovering just above the ambient temperature. To save as much energy as they can, they cuddle closely together.

Hoary Bat Hoary Bat - Photo: Hila Taylor [CC BY 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Senses and Abilities

Sense of Hearing

Of all their senses, their sense of hearing is the most developed. They can detect sounds up to 200,000 Hertz. These frequencies are inaudible to the human ear, which can only perceive up to 20,000 Hertz. However, they are also very adept at hearing low-frequency sounds.

Echolocation

To navigate at night, bats emit ultrasound sounds up to 200 times per second. The sound waves bounce back – for instance, from insects or walls. This allows the bat to know exactly where it is and where its prey is located.

Magnetic Sense

Bats possess a magnetic sense. They can detect the Earth's magnetic field and use it for navigation while flying.

Are Microbats Blind?

We often use the saying "blind as a bat". While bats primarily rely on echolocation, they are not completely blind. They just don't have very good eyesight.

Solar Compass

Even though most bat species are nocturnal, they also rely on the sunset for orientation. It assists them in determining their location and flight direction. Researchers refer to this as a sun compass. Of course, it doesn't work on cloudy days.

Polarized Light

Bats are truly remarkable! For a long time, their vision was considered unremarkable, but researchers have discovered that they are among the few animals capable of seeing polarized light. You can learn more about this ability in the our mantis shrimp profile.

Bat Echolocation Bat Echolocation - Illustration: Silke/tierchenwelt.de

Life Expectancy

Most bats live between 4 to 10 years. However, some species can live for 10 to 20 years. The oldest recorded bat was a Brandt's bat, which lived to be 40 years old.

Silver-Haired Bat Silver-Haired Bat - Photo: Peter Lypkie [CC BY 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Enemies and Threats

Natural Enemies

Their natural predators include domestic cats, martens, birds of prey, and owls. Additionally, parasites, bacteria, and viruses can also be fatal to these creatures.

Human Impact

The greatest threat, however, is humanity, as we destroy their natural habitats through deforestation, agricultural uses (mainly for livestock feed), and the demolition of buildings and bridges. Pesticides lead to a decrease in available food, and the remaining food is contaminated by these chemicals. Additionally, noise, light pollution, cars, glass facades, and wind turbines pose significant problems. Bats are particularly protected in Europe, as they are considered endangered species.

Importance For the Ecosystem

Bats play a crucial role in nature: they help maintain the balance of insect populations. Their droppings (guano) serve as excellent fertilizer, enriching the soil with nutrients. Some species even pollinate flowers.

Evening Bat Evening Bat - Photo: Lisa Winnett-Pequeno [CC BY 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Are Bats Dangerous?

Fear of Bats

Many people are afraid of bats. After all, they have a reputation for being associated with the devil, getting tangled in women's hair, and sucking the blood of sleeping individuals. Bats often get a bad rap, despite the fact that a well-known superhero is famously associated with a bat costume... Batman! At least in China, bats are seen as symbols of good luck, and the Mayans revered them as deities.

Do Bats Suck Blood?

There are bats that feed on the blood of mammals, known as vampire bats. Occasionally, they may bite humans. The risk is not that they drain all the blood, but rather that they can transmit diseases through their bites. Vampire bats are found exclusively in the Americas, from northern Mexico to southern Chile/Argentina.

Are Bat Feces Toxic?

Bat droppings are not toxic, but they can contain fungi and bacteria that may cause serious illnesses in humans when inhaled. A droplet resembles the shape and size of a grain of rice. It is odorless, very dry, and has a slight shine due to undigested, shimmering insect wings. The droppings can be swept up with a broom and handled with protective gloves. Please do not use a vacuum cleaner – it will blow the fungi and bacteria into the air! If you find large amounts of droppings on windowsills, in the attic, or in sheds, it’s best to contact NABU.

Bitten by a Bat?

Bats are not interested in biting humans. A bite is extremely rare. They tend to avoid contact with us. If someone tries to catch a bat and holds it with bare hands, they may get bitten – as the bat desperately tries to defend itself. Regardless of how small the bite is: go to a doctor or hospital immediately! Bats can transmit rabies. If left untreated, this disease can be fatal.

Bats in the House?

In search of a new shelter, bats sometimes get lost in homes. What should you do if bats accidentally entered your house? First of all: stay calm. Open the windows and turn off all the lights. In most cases, they leave the house on their own. Important: Once all the bats are outside, check behind curtains, in vases, behind furniture, and picture frames to ensure none are left. If all are truly gone, it’s best to keep the windows closed for a few days. Otherwise, call a professional.

Mexican Free-Tailed Bats Mexican Free-Tailed Bats - Photo: Jeff Reeves/Shutterstock

Reproduction

Bats reproduce – unlike their namesake mice – not very frequently. Most of them give birth to a single offspring only once a year. In Europe, the gestation period lasts between 40 to 70 days. The young are left in a cave by their mothers while they go hunting. By August, the young bats become independent and sometimes end up in homes while searching for a winter shelter.

Eastern Red Bat Eastern Red Bat - Photo: Chris Harshaw (modified by Cephas) [CC BY-sa 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Fun Facts

Not All Bats are Microbats

There is a second type of flying mammal: the flying fox. No, it’s not a tiny fox with bat wings flapping around. Although, that would be quite amusing! Unlike insect-eating bats, flying foxes prefer to munch on fruits, nectar, and pollen. Additionally, they do not navigate using echolocation; instead, they rely on their keen eyesight and sense of smell.