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The bats o Chiroptera (Order Chyroptera) are an order of mammals that can be found in practically all regions of the world, with the exception of the polar areas. However, within bats we find a multitude of species with different characteristics, such as sizes, and some common ones, such as mammals that can fly.
As they are very interesting animals and generate curiosity in many people, in this Green Ecologist article we will see what are the characteristics of bats. Did you know them all?
What bats are like: main characteristics
Bats are the only order of mammals that have the ability to fly. In the image below you can see the detail of a bat's wing.
The size of the different species of bats is variable. The smallest known species of bat, the species blowfly bat, measures only about 30 mm in length and weighs about 2 grams, on the other hand, the largest species identified, the so-called filipino flying fox, it can measure just over 1.5 m in length and weigh about 1.2 kg.
The different species of bats provide ecological benefits either as pollinators, seed dispersers, they help the reproduction of some tropical plants or act as a control for different insect pests such as lobster, which affect thousands of hectares of crops every year.
Where bats live
Bats have various habitats, although they prefer caves, trees, logs, crevices, and other hollow and moist places. In general, any habitat that has enough food, a suitable temperature, and a safe place to sleep and hibernate.
What bats eat: feeding
The bat's diet is omnivorous and highly varied and it depends on the species, being able to feed on insects, reptiles, birds, amphibians, spiders and other arthropods, mammals, pollen, nectar, leaves, fruits, carrion or even blood (only three hematophagous species are known). Bats generally feed at night and rest during the day. Usually, they do it in groups, leaving their caves, caves or holes in groups of up to 50 million individuals to search for prey. This happens, for example, in the case of the mouse-tailed bat.
Bats, like dolphins and some cetaceans, use the method of echolocation to detect obstacles, orient oneself, position prey more effectively or to communicate with each other. Echolocation consists of the emission of sounds that generate echoes and the detection of their return, which they detect with a fairly developed auditory system. Once this sound is received, they process the information to orient themselves in space. Although they have a highly developed auditory system, their sense of sight is not.
Bat reproduction
The bats reach their sexual maturity around 12 months old. The reproductive behavior of bats varies by species. In some species, they cluster in trees and mate with several members close to them, other species form harems with some females, others opt for monogamy, and other species of bats copulate while the female is in hibernation.
Bats are viviparous animals and the gestation period is highly variable, lasting between 40 days and 10 months. After this, they usually give birth to a young, although sometimes there can be two. They usually have one litter a year, except for the genre Lasiurius, which can reach four litters per year.
These are hibernating animals during winter in cold areas. Before hibernating, they gain weight to have enough food reserves to survive this period. During hibernation, the animal can reduce its body temperature to -5ºC, depending on the species, and decrease some of its metabolic functions. In addition, these animals do not migrate to other regions, so when food is scarce and temperatures drop too low (they cannot bear very low temperatures), they go into hibernation until spring. There are species that can wake up every 10 days and others can last up to 90 days.
Threats and predators of bats
There are different reasons that pose a threat to these animals. One of them is a disease known as white nose syndrome, caused by the white fungus, which attacks the ears, snout and wings of these flying mammalian animals.
Another threat to these animals is the use of wind turbines or windmills, whose blades are a danger because they cause accidents when bats collide with them. The use of insecticides in agriculture, its use as food, abuses or the interruption of its hibernation stage by humans, are other factors that contribute to reducing their populations.
With respect to bat predatorsThe most important are snakes, owls, lizards, the wild cat or foxes.
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