Bat
Facts
Conservation Status: Of the UK, 2 species are Vulnerable and 3 are Near Threatened. Other species will vary.
Location: Most parts of the world, apart from Antarctica and the Arctic.
Lifespan: 5 to 6 years old, depending on the species.
Conservation Status: Of the UK, 2 species are Vulnerable and 3 are Near Threatened. Other species will vary.
Location: Most parts of the world, apart from Antarctica and the Arctic.
Lifespan: 5 to 6 years old, depending on the species.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Group: Eutheria
Order: Chiroptera
Taxas: Microchiroptera and Megachiroptera
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Group: Eutheria
Order: Chiroptera
Taxas: Microchiroptera and Megachiroptera
Description
Length: 29 to 343 mm (1.14 to 13.50 in)
Wingspan: 15 to 150 cm (6 in to 59 in)
Weight: 2g to 1,200 g (0.07 to 48 oz)
Other: Although the eyes of most microbat species are small and poorly developed, leading to poor visual acuity, none of them are blind. Vision is used to navigate microbats especially for long distances when beyond the range of echolocation. It has even been discovered that some species are able to detect ultraviolet light. They also have a high quality sense of smell and hearing. The finger bones of bats are much more flexible than those of other mammals. One reason is that the cartilage in their fingers lacks calcium and other minerals nearer the tips, increasing their ability to bend without splintering. The cross-section of the finger bone is also flattened compared to the circular cross section that human finger bones have, and is very flexible. The skin on their wing membranes has more elasticity and so can stretch much more than other mammals.
Length: 29 to 343 mm (1.14 to 13.50 in)
Wingspan: 15 to 150 cm (6 in to 59 in)
Weight: 2g to 1,200 g (0.07 to 48 oz)
Other: Although the eyes of most microbat species are small and poorly developed, leading to poor visual acuity, none of them are blind. Vision is used to navigate microbats especially for long distances when beyond the range of echolocation. It has even been discovered that some species are able to detect ultraviolet light. They also have a high quality sense of smell and hearing. The finger bones of bats are much more flexible than those of other mammals. One reason is that the cartilage in their fingers lacks calcium and other minerals nearer the tips, increasing their ability to bend without splintering. The cross-section of the finger bone is also flattened compared to the circular cross section that human finger bones have, and is very flexible. The skin on their wing membranes has more elasticity and so can stretch much more than other mammals.
Subspecies
There are about 1,240 bat species worldwide, which represent about twenty percent of all classified mammal species. About seventy percent of bats are insectivores. Most of the rest are frugivores, or fruit eaters. A few species such as the Fish-eating Bat feed from animals other than insects, with the vampire bats being the only mammalian parasite species. Bats are present throughout most of the world and perform vital ecological roles such as pollinating flowers and dispersing fruit seeds. Many tropical plant species depend entirely on bats for the distribution of their seeds.
There are about 1,240 bat species worldwide, which represent about twenty percent of all classified mammal species. About seventy percent of bats are insectivores. Most of the rest are frugivores, or fruit eaters. A few species such as the Fish-eating Bat feed from animals other than insects, with the vampire bats being the only mammalian parasite species. Bats are present throughout most of the world and perform vital ecological roles such as pollinating flowers and dispersing fruit seeds. Many tropical plant species depend entirely on bats for the distribution of their seeds.
Behaviour
Bats hunt at night to avoid competition with birds, and travel large distances at most 800 km, in their search for food. Most microbats are nocturnal and are active at twilight. A large portion of bats migrate hundreds of kilometres to winter hibernation dens, some pass into Torpor (temporary hibernation) in cold weather, rousing and feeding when warm weather allows for insects to be active. Others retreat to caves for winter and hibernate for six months. Bats rarely fly in rain as the rain interferes with their echo location, and they are unable to locate their food.The social structure of bats varies, with some bats leading a solitary life and others living in caves colonized by more than a million bats. The "fission-fusion social structure" is seen among several species of bats. The term "fusion" refers to a large numbers of bats that congregate together in one roosting area and "fission" refers to breaking up and the mixing of subgroups, with individual bats switching roosts with others and often ending up in different trees and with different roostmates.
Bats hunt at night to avoid competition with birds, and travel large distances at most 800 km, in their search for food. Most microbats are nocturnal and are active at twilight. A large portion of bats migrate hundreds of kilometres to winter hibernation dens, some pass into Torpor (temporary hibernation) in cold weather, rousing and feeding when warm weather allows for insects to be active. Others retreat to caves for winter and hibernate for six months. Bats rarely fly in rain as the rain interferes with their echo location, and they are unable to locate their food.The social structure of bats varies, with some bats leading a solitary life and others living in caves colonized by more than a million bats. The "fission-fusion social structure" is seen among several species of bats. The term "fusion" refers to a large numbers of bats that congregate together in one roosting area and "fission" refers to breaking up and the mixing of subgroups, with individual bats switching roosts with others and often ending up in different trees and with different roostmates.
Predators or Prey?
The Bat Falcon and the Bat Hawk are both predators of the Bat. In South America, some bats will prey on other bat species. In North America, Raccoon prey on bats. Great Horned Owls of North, Central, and South America will also take bats as their prey, as will other Raptors, such as the Red-Tailed Hawk, Swainson's Hawk. Also, Merlin Opossums, snakes, and Forest Mice. Only a small minority of Bats feed on other animals, including; fish, other bat species, small birds.
The Bat Falcon and the Bat Hawk are both predators of the Bat. In South America, some bats will prey on other bat species. In North America, Raccoon prey on bats. Great Horned Owls of North, Central, and South America will also take bats as their prey, as will other Raptors, such as the Red-Tailed Hawk, Swainson's Hawk. Also, Merlin Opossums, snakes, and Forest Mice. Only a small minority of Bats feed on other animals, including; fish, other bat species, small birds.
Diet
70% of bat species are insectivorous, locating their prey by means of echolocation. Of the remainder, most feed on fruits. Only three species sustain themselves with blood. Some species even prey on vertebrates: these are the leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) of Central America and South America, and the two bulldog bat (Noctilionidae) species, which feed on fish. At least two species of bat are known to feed on bats: the Spectral Bat, also known as the American False Vampire bat, and the Ghost Bat of Australia. One species, the Greater Noctule bat, catches and eats small birds in the air.
70% of bat species are insectivorous, locating their prey by means of echolocation. Of the remainder, most feed on fruits. Only three species sustain themselves with blood. Some species even prey on vertebrates: these are the leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) of Central America and South America, and the two bulldog bat (Noctilionidae) species, which feed on fish. At least two species of bat are known to feed on bats: the Spectral Bat, also known as the American False Vampire bat, and the Ghost Bat of Australia. One species, the Greater Noctule bat, catches and eats small birds in the air.
Habitat
Flight has enabled bats to become one of the most widely distributed groups of mammals. Apart from the Arctic, the Antarctic and a few isolated oceanic islands, bats exist all over the world. Bats are found in almost every habitat available on Earth. Different species select different habitats during different seasons — ranging from seasides to mountains and even deserts — but bat habitats have two basic requirements: roosts, where they spend the day or hibernate, and places for foraging. Bat roosts can be found in hollows, crevices, foliage, and even human-made structures; and include "tents" that bats construct by biting leaves.
Flight has enabled bats to become one of the most widely distributed groups of mammals. Apart from the Arctic, the Antarctic and a few isolated oceanic islands, bats exist all over the world. Bats are found in almost every habitat available on Earth. Different species select different habitats during different seasons — ranging from seasides to mountains and even deserts — but bat habitats have two basic requirements: roosts, where they spend the day or hibernate, and places for foraging. Bat roosts can be found in hollows, crevices, foliage, and even human-made structures; and include "tents" that bats construct by biting leaves.
Conservation
Bats are amazing animals, and an important part of our natural environment. There are 18 species of bat in the UK (17 of which are known to be breeding here), all of which are protected by law because their numbers have decreased so dramatically.The Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) is working towards a world where bats and people thrive in harmony, to ensure they are around for future generations to enjoy.
Bats are amazing animals, and an important part of our natural environment. There are 18 species of bat in the UK (17 of which are known to be breeding here), all of which are protected by law because their numbers have decreased so dramatically.The Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) is working towards a world where bats and people thrive in harmony, to ensure they are around for future generations to enjoy.
Reproduction
The males and the females typically stay segregated unless they are ready to mate. Once females are pregnant, a hundred or so of them may form a maternity colony that is a sub area of the larger colony. The breeding season for the bat is in the spring when temperatures are warmer. This also seems to be the time of year when they can find the most food supplies. Even though they typically only have one breeding season, it is possible for a female bat to have one, two, or even three litters in that time frame. However, only one young will be born at a time. It can be very difficult process for a mother bat to care for her young. She has to be able to continue flying for food while she is pregnant. The young bat will drink milk from the mother’s body. When the young are born they don’t have fully developed wings. Once they do develop they will be able to start looking for their own food. Once their wings are properly developed, it isn’t long before they venture out on their own.
The males and the females typically stay segregated unless they are ready to mate. Once females are pregnant, a hundred or so of them may form a maternity colony that is a sub area of the larger colony. The breeding season for the bat is in the spring when temperatures are warmer. This also seems to be the time of year when they can find the most food supplies. Even though they typically only have one breeding season, it is possible for a female bat to have one, two, or even three litters in that time frame. However, only one young will be born at a time. It can be very difficult process for a mother bat to care for her young. She has to be able to continue flying for food while she is pregnant. The young bat will drink milk from the mother’s body. When the young are born they don’t have fully developed wings. Once they do develop they will be able to start looking for their own food. Once their wings are properly developed, it isn’t long before they venture out on their own.
