Bat Scientific Name: Habitat, Diet, Ecology, Classification, Facts and FAQs

Bats are the only mammals capable of genuine sustained flight, and they comprise the second-largest order of mammals, with over 1,300 species and counting. Their wings are organised into the order Chiroptera, which means "hand wing" in Ancient Greek. They are made up of elongated hand bones connected by a skin membrane. Although bats are not blind, most species are nocturnal and enhance their night vision with echolocation, a type of biological sonar. Because bats are distributed all over the world, except the most distant Arctic and Antarctic regions, there is a great deal of variety among species. Most bats consume fruit or insects, although some have been reported to consume rats, fish, frogs, birds, small bats, and even cattle and bird blood.

Bat Habitat, Diet and Ecology

Except for Antarctica, bats can be found on practically every continent. The majority of bats are insectivores; however, some are nectarivores or frugivores. However, other species, such as vampire bats, only feed on blood. Bats are very important in ecology since they help with pollination and seed dissemination. Many tropical plants are completely dependent on bats for these processes. Bats are also useful to people because they reduce bug infestations. Their faeces is also quite useful as a fertiliser. Bats, on the other hand, carry a variety of diseases and can be a source of concern in densely inhabited places.

Taxonomic Classification of Bats

The order Chiroptera, derived from the Latin chiro, which means hand, and the Greek pteron, which means wing, currently consists of 18 families, approximately 174 genera, and over 900 species. Chiropterans are classified into two suborders: Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Chiroptera
• Sub-Order: Microchiroptera
• Family: Rhinolophidae
• Genus: Rhinolophus
• Species: Hipposideros

Bat Names

• Barbastelle
• Brown bats
• Hoary bat
• Long-eared bat
• Noctule
• Pipistrelle

Bat Sound Names

Most bats utilise their vocal cords and larynx to generate calls during echolocation, similar to how humans use their voice box and larynx to talk. Different bat species have different calls, but in general, bat sounds are referred to as "clicks." When these noises are slowed down, they sound more like a bird chirp and have markedly different tones.

How Does a Bat Fly?

Bats are one-of-a-kind creatures. Despite sharing many traits with other mammals, including fur, regulated body temperature, and the capacity to carry and nurse their young alive, bats are the only animals that can genuinely fly. Although "flying!" squirrels and "flying!" lemurs use a furred membrane to glide or parachute, only bats have the structural adaptations that allow for full-powered flight.

How Long Do They Live?

Mortality is high among immature bats. Some fall through the top of their shelter and are unable to return; others die of disease or parasites. They do, however, proliferate and can fly in about three weeks. Once the dangers of adolescence are passed, bats can live to be quite old, with some reaching the age of 20 and, in one documented example, 30. They certainly outlive other mammals of comparable sizes, such as rats, which live barely one or two years.

What Do They Eat?

A few bat species are carnivorous, devouring tiny frogs, reptiles, and birds. Other species are noted for their fish-eating habits and are distinguished by their rear feet and claws. The fishing bulldog bat, Noctilio leporinus, of Central and South America is the most well-known of the fish-eating bats. The exact mechanism by which this bat gets its prey is unknown, although many experts assume that sonar is used to detect ripples in the water caused by the fish. In a matter of seconds, it catches its victim with enormous hooked claws, spears it with its canine teeth, gathers it in the wing’s membrane, bites through the head, and eats it.