Megabats and Microbats
Bats (Chiroptera) are the order of the higher mammals subclass within the class of mammals. With a total of 1,100 species, bat are behind rodent order of mammals with the greatest number of species. They are divided into two suborders: megabats (larger bats) and microbats (small bats).
Differences…
Microbats use echolocation, while megabats not. Megabats usually rely on good vision (the exception is the Egyptian Fruit Bat, Rousettus egyptiacus). Microbats do not have claws on the forelimbs. Ears of microbats not form a ring: the edges are separated from each other on the ear. Microbats do not have lower fur, have only a protective coat or bare skin.
Tree bats
Bats are active mainly at dusk and at night. In search of food cover great distances, and sleep during the day hanging head down. Unlike microbats, megabats often can be seen on trees in exposed locations.
Ultrasound
Microbats generate ultrasound via the larynx and emit the sound through the nose or open mouth. These sounds have a frequency of 14,000 to more than 100,000 Hz, which is beyond the range of human hearing. Some moths have developed protection against of bats. They are able to hear ultrasound of bats, so fled as soon as they hear their sounds, or stop beating their wings while the bat is nearby.
Only mammals on New Zealand
Bats are spread almost all over the globe, do not exist only in polar regions and on islands that are far from the continents. On New Zealand; to the arrival of humans; were the only mammals. New Zealand native land mammals are only three species of bats.
Big bat fossil
In New Zealand were found the fossil remains of a new species of bats that lived 16 million years ago, and it was three times heavier than today’s average bat. It was found near the region of Central Otago on the South Island, in the sediment that remains after the disappearance of Lake Manuherikia, before 16,000,000 to 19,000,000 years.
Oldest fossil
The oldest found a fossil of a bat that feeds on insects is 50 million years old. The texture is quite similar to today’s bats, which shows that already at that time reached a high level of evolution.
Only mammals that can fly
Bats are the only mammals that can actively fly. Some groups of mammals (like a flying squirrel) have flight skins between the limbs, but can only slide from a higher position down. In contrast, bats can fly in the air.
Smallest and biggest bat
Pig-bat was the size of three cm and a weight of 2 grams and with Etruscan little mouse is considered the smallest mammal, while megabat kalong can have a wingspan of up to 1.7 m and reach a weight of 1.5 kg.
Dead bat do not fall
For keeping the surface they do not need power because under his weight body claws automatically gather around the substrate. That is why dead animals do not fall from the grips.
Insects killer
Bats are important for controlling a large number of flying insects. In the middle 19th century was observed value of bats because of regulation of insects and since then begins to live the idea of protection of bats; since a single bat can eat up to 3,000 insects in a night, or about 600 mosquitoes in one hour. Bats are of very great benefit to forests and agriculture as they feed on insects which are dangerous pests for forests and agricultural crops. – Why bats matter
Long-lived mammal
Bats are; in comparison with other mammals of similar size; long-lived. Some animals live longer than 20 and sometimes 30 years.
Clean
Bats are very clean animals. Most of the time when the do not eat or sleep, spending on cleaning fur. About 25% of all mammal species make bats. They can hold the heat so that the wrap their wings around. Under the wings hold the air that serves as an insulator.