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The megabat family contains the largest bat species, with individuals of some species weighing up to 1.45 kg (3.2 lb) and having wingspans up to 1.7 m (5.6 ft). Not all megabats are large-bodied; nearly a third of all species weigh less than 50 g (1.8 oz).
Bats are mammals in the order Chiroptera. [1] Bats are nocturnal – they are active during the night, dusk, or dawn and they sleep during the day. Most use echolocation to catch prey and to find their way about. As nighttime animals, bats avoid direct competition with birds, few of which are nocturnal.
Bat Facts. This fact sheet attempts to dispel the fears and answer some of the questions most often asked of the National Museum of Natural History by presenting some general facts about the biology and natural history of these shy, nocturnal creatures.
Average Life Span In The Wild: 30 years. Size: less than two inches - 11 inches; wingspan: 5 inches - 6 feet. Weight: .07 ounces - 3.3 pounds. For centuries, bats have been called sinister and ...
An Unlikely Hero With Global Impact. Bats have been on Earth for more than 50 million years. With more than 1,400 species, they are the second largest order of mammals, and are widely dispersed across six continents. Globally, bats provide vital ecosystem services in the form of insect pest consumption, plant pollination, and seed dispersal ...
bat, Any member of more than 1,100 species (order Chiroptera) of the only mammals to have evolved true flight. Their wings are evolutionary modification of the forelimbs, with greatly elongated fingers joined by a membrane that extends down the side of the body. Most bats use echolocation to orient themselves and find prey.
The Art and Science of Bats. Western cultures have generally regarded bats with superstition and fear; but in China, expressed in art and handicrafts, the bat has achieved respectability as a symbol of happiness and good luck.
