Bats

Bats are mammals in the order Chiroptera and are the only mammals capable of sustained flight. Their wings consist of a thin sheet of skin stretched over elongated finger bones. Bats are commonly divided into two groups: microbats, which are mainly echolocating insect specialists, and megabats, which include flying foxes and fruit bats that typically rely on vision and smell rather than echolocation.

Bats occur on every continent except Antarctica and inhabit a wide range of environments, from tropical forests to deserts. They roost in caves, mines, hollow trees, and human-made structures, often forming colonies that range from a few individuals to millions.

Diets and ecological roles vary. Microbats primarily eat insects, helping regulate pest populations. Megabats feed on fruit, nectar, and pollen and serve as important pollinators and seed dispersers. A few species, including some vampire bats in the Americas, feed on blood. Through their feeding activities, bats contribute to ecosystem health and agricultural benefits.

Biology and behavior vary among species. Echolocation helps many bats navigate and locate prey in darkness, with calls differing in frequency and pattern. Not all bats echolocate; megabats generally rely on vision. Reproduction is typically seasonal, with most species producing one offspring per year, though twins occur rarely. Bats can have long lifespans relative to their size and are often social, roosting in sites that may host only dozens or millions of individuals.

Conservation is a concern for many species. Threats include habitat loss, pesticide exposure, wind turbines, and disease such as white-nose syndrome, a fungal infection affecting hibernating bats in North America. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection, disease monitoring, and public education about bats’ ecological benefits.