Last updated on July 17th, 2024
Popular myths depict bats as sinister creatures, making them objects of fear and scorn. However, they are far from savage in real life. Bats are the lone mammals to exhibit sustained flight. They fly up to 160 kph or 100 mph. Based on fossils, their wing structure hasn’t changed much for 50 million years. Bat wings have touch-sensitive receptors on the surface. These detect changing airflow, allowing them to improve mid-flight adaptation and prey-hunting success rate. These flying furry mammals are superheroes of ecological balance and agricultural abundance. They also show us impressive adaptations that inspire scientists and engineers. With these facts about bats, let us learn more about their anatomy, species, behaviours, reproduction, senses, habitats, and much more.
Anatomy
1. Varied dimensions and colours
The most diminutive bats are just over an inch long and six inches wide with open wings. On the other end of the scale, you can find bats with wingspans reaching five and a half feet. They can be found in different colours as red, grey, brown, and tan depending on the species.
2. Thinner, More Manoeuvrable, and Highly Efficient wings
Compared to birds, bat wings are thinner and more manoeuvrable. They can fly with more lift and less drag. The structure is 35% more energy efficient, enabling longer flights.
3. The Regenerative Structure of Bat Wings
The wings have delicate membranes that tear easily but regrow and heal quickly. They consist of collagen-rich connective tissue and blood vessels sandwiched between two layers of skin.
4. The Unique Role of Finger Bones in Bat Wings
Finger bones support the wings. The thumb points forward, away from other digits. The index and middle fingers hold the leading edge. The rest are scattered mid-wing for stiffness.
Different species and their qualities
5. The smallest species
The smallest species of bats belong to the genus Craseonycteris, commonly known as the bumblebee bat or Kitti’s hog-nosed bat or “Khun Kitty bat.
The bumblebee bat holds the title of being the world’s smallest mammal by skull measurements and one of the smallest by body size. They have a total length ranging from 29 to 33 millimeters (1.1 to 1.3 inches) and a wingspan of about 170 millimeters (6.7 inches).
Bumblebee bats are native to limestone caves along rivers in western Thailand and southeast Myanmar (Burma). They prefer habitats with limestone outcrops where they roost in crevices.
6. The largest Species of bats
The largest species of bats belong to the genus Pteropus, commonly known as flying foxes or fruit bats.
Flying foxes are among the largest bat species in the world. Depending on the species, their wingspans can range from about 1.5 to over 6 feet (0.5 to 2 meters). The giant golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus) holds the title for the largest wingspan of any bat species, reaching up to 6 feet (1.8 meters).
Flying foxes are found in tropical and subtropical regions throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. They inhabit diverse habitats such as rainforests, mangroves, and coastal areas.
7. The most common species of bats worldwide
It is difficult to determine the most common of them all. However, one species often cited as among the most widespread and abundant is the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) in North America.
8. Microbat vs Megabats
Microbats and Megabats are two suborders of bats that differ in various aspects, including size, diet, echolocation abilities, and geographic distribution.
- Microbats are smaller than Megabats in size.
- Microbats generally have smaller eyes and ears relative to their body size. Megabats typically have larger eyes and ears compared to microbats.
- Microbats are primarily insectivorous but Megabats are generally frugivorous or nectarivorous.
- Most microbats use echolocation to navigate whereas some Megabats have limited echolocation abilities.
- Microbats use echolocation to find food but Megabats use their sight and smelling power to search for the food.
- Some microbat species form large colonies, while others are solitary or roost in small groups. Megabats often form large, conspicuous colonies and may migrate seasonally in search of food.
Senses
9. Bats are not blind
Even small species can detect light, but only at low levels. The eyes remain helpful for long-range orientation and navigation since echolocation requires enclosed spaces. Larger ones have a visual acuity comparable to humans.
10. Magnetic Field Detection in Microbats
Like birds, microbats sense the planetary magnetic field for navigation. However, they have different methods. Birds rely on field strength to determine latitude, while bats depend on polarity.
11. Ultrasonic Bat Signals for Detecting Minute Movements
Many species emit ultrasonic sounds that act as bat signals. They compare the outgoing pulse and the incoming echoes to sense movements. Some detect slender objects rising just 1 mm above water, which helps them catch prey.
12. The Advanced Hearing Capabilities
Bats are also good at hearing the sounds produced by their prey, like fluttering wings and cricket footsteps. Their ears have complex geometry that enables sharp focus.
Behaviours
13. Life span
Bats enjoy longer lives compared to mammals of their size. Hibernating species outlive others, possibly due to lower metabolic rate and predation risk. Six species can exceed 30 years in the wild.
14. The Peaceful Nature of Bats in their Nocturnal Habitat
Contrary to popular belief, bats are not aggressive. Most don’t bite. They hide under the cover of darkness when feeding, sleep throughout the day, and fly away if disturbed by humans.
15. Special bond between mothers and babies
Mothers and babies have a strong bond. Some moms carry their babies out of the cave when feeding. They use scents and sounds to find each other in caves full of bats.
16. Rain Hinders their power of Echolocation
Bats avoid flying in the rain. It is not just about getting drenched. The water droplets interfere with their use of echolocation, making it hard to hunt and feed.
17. The Global Distribution and Habitats of Bats
Flight enabled bats to scatter across the globe. They are on every continent except Antarctica, with most species residing in tropical areas. They live in caves, hollow tree trunks, and large leaves.
18. They Hibernate for their survival
Bats hibernate to save energy, avoid predators, and survive scarcity. Their metabolism and temperature decrease. Energy expenditure drops by as much as 99%. Some do it to stay cool during summer.
The Diverse Diets of Certain Bat Species
19. Their favourite diet
Many bats feast on insects, consuming 120% of their body weight each night. They target flies, beetles, moths, bees, wasps, crickets, mosquitoes and grasshoppers. Some species eat fruits and even nectar.
20. They can feast on fish and small mammals as well
Some bats get their protein from vertebrates. They prey on small birds, lizards, frogs, fish, and mammals.
21. Dispelling Myths and Understanding the Reality of Bat Feeding Habits
People generalize bats as blood-suckers, yet only three species out of 1,400 fit the description. They often prey on birds and cows, not humans. It is a painless process for the sleeping target.
Contrary to popular belief, vampire bats (Desmodontinae) do not suck blood but rather make small incisions with their razor-sharp teeth and lap up the blood. Their saliva acts as an anticoagulant to prevent the cut from closing quickly.
22. Some of them are cannibals
Two species feed on other bats. They have sharp canine teeth and large claws.
How they help our environment
23. They support pollination of various plants
Some species developed a taste for nectar, evolving long muzzles and tongues to reach deep into flowers. Pollen sticks to their noses and moves to other blooms. These feeding activities ensure the pollination of cacti, baobabs, mangoes, durian, and other plants.
24. The Role of Fruit-Eating Bats in Reforestation
Fruit-eating bats enable rapid reforestation by consuming seeds and spreading droppings. They can gather up to 60,000 of these per night. Unlike birds, they often limit themselves to overripe fruits.
25. Natural Pest Control
Remember, they also eat mosquitoes, helping prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases.
26. Guano’s Value
Bat guano (feces) is a valuable natural resource due to its high nutrient content, especially nitrogen and phosphorus. Historically, it was collected for use as fertilizer, leading to amusing tales of “guano wars” and disputes over ownership of bat-inhabited caves.
Predators
27. Carnivorous beetles are their biggest enemies
Young bats have no room for error. Cave floors are often teeming with predators like carnivorous beetles. Their first flight must be successful, or they face certain death.
28. Don’t forget the snakes!
Snakes wait for bats at the entrance of caves. They know when it is time for the feeding flight. They hang from the top to catch flapping wings for easy dinners.
29. Avian Threats to Escaping Bats
Bats that escape the snakes are not yet safe. Hawks, falcons, and owls are also out to get them. These birds of prey have the speed and strength to catch lagging bats.
30. Humans are the greatest threat
Humans are the worst bat predators. Hunters catch them with nets and guns. Farmers kill them as pests despite their usefulness as pollinators. Loggers destroy their homes and food sources, driving them away.
31. Deaths due to Diseases and Parasites
Bats also get sick. Some carry parasites like fleas, mites, flies, and bugs. They also develop the white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has already caused millions of deaths in North America.
Reproduction
32. Strategic Reproduction and Pregnancy Timings
Female bats can time their pregnancy to coincide with food abundance. Some mate in autumn and store sperm throughout winter, preventing fertilization until spring. Others delay implantation or fetal development.
33. Male Bat Strategies
Male bats are highly conscious of paternity. Tropical species may plug the entrance of the sperm to prevent others from mating with their prized females.
34. Solo Offspring Policy
Most bat moms only have a solitary pup per litter. Perhaps one is enough because these big babies weigh up to 40% of their mother and require a vast expansion of the pelvic girdle.
35. They raise their kids in groups
Many bat species create maternity colonies wherein females give birth and raise young together. It helps increase the chances of survival for individuals and groups.
Some more fun facts about Bats
36. Batman’s Inspiration
The iconic superhero Batman draws inspiration from bats, but did you know that his co-creator, Bob Kane, was partially inspired by a Leonardo da Vinci sketch of a bat-winged flying machine? The idea of a bat-themed superhero has led to numerous parodies and comedic interpretations over the years.
37. “Bat Bombs” Experiment
During World War II, the United States military experimented with the idea of using bats as flying bombs by attaching small incendiary devices to them. The project, known as “Project X-Ray” or “Bat Bomb,” was never deployed in combat but remains a quirky footnote in military history.
38. The loudest bat on the Earth
Some bat species, such as the Bulldog bats (also called as fisherman bats) are known for their loud and distinctive singing during courtship. These serenades can reach volumes of up to 140 decibels, earning them the title of the loudest mammal relative to body size.
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