Background

Known to be the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight, bats are a fascinating bunch that are often overlooked and misunderstood. After rodents, bats are the second largest order of mammals, representing about 20% of all classified mammal species worldwide. They belong to the order Chiroptera and are split into two sub-orders: Megachiropteras (megabats) and Microchiropteras (Microbats).

Listed below are some of the distinct characteristics of the two sub-orders:

• Megachiropteras (megabats)
  • Does not use echolocation (with the exception of rousettus and relatives)
  • Eats fruit, nectar or pollen
  • Well-developed visual cortices and show good visual acuity
• Microchiropteras (microbats/echolocating bats)
  • Uses echolocation
  • Lack the claw at the second toe of the forelimb (insert pics)
  • Ears do not close to form a ring – edges are separated from each other at the base of the ear
  • Lack underfur – either naked or have guardhair
  • Most eat insects, some feed on blood of animals, small mammals, fish, frogs, fruit, pollen or nectar