lepakkojen

Lepakkojen is a Finnish word that translates to "bats" in English. This term refers to the order of mammals known as Chiroptera. Bats are unique among mammals for their ability to achieve true and sustained flight, a characteristic shared only with birds. They are found worldwide, with the exception of the most extreme polar regions.

There are over 1,400 species of bats, representing about 20% of all mammal species. They exhibit a wide range of sizes, from the tiny bumblebee bat, which weighs about 2 grams, to the large flying foxes, which have a wingspan of up to 1.7 meters. Bats are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. During the day, they roost in various sheltered locations such as caves, trees, abandoned buildings, and even under bridges.

The diet of bats varies greatly depending on the species. Many bats are insectivores, feeding on a wide variety of insects, which plays a crucial role in insect population control. Other bats feed on fruit (frugivores), nectar and pollen (nectarivores), or even fish and small vertebrates. A small number of species are sanguivores, meaning they feed on blood.

Bats play important ecological roles, including pollination of plants and seed dispersal. Their echolocation abilities, used for navigation and hunting in the dark, are also a remarkable adaptation. Despite their ecological importance, bats often face misconceptions and are sometimes feared due to their association with darkness and folklore. Conservation efforts are important as many bat populations are declining due to habitat loss and other human-related factors.