Bats And A Swarm of Bats
Bats are mammals with their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Bats are more manoeuvrable than birds, flying with their very long spread-out digits covered with a thin membrane or patagium. The smallest bat, and arguably the smallest extant mammal, is a hog-nosed bat, which is 29–34 millimetres (1 1⁄8–1 3⁄8 inches) in length, 150 mm (6 in) across the wings and 2–2.6 g (1⁄16–3⁄32 oz) in mass. The largest bats are the flying foxes, which can weigh 1.6 kg (3 1⁄2 lb) and have a wingspan of 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in).
The second largest order of mammals after rodents, bats comprise about 20% of all classified mammal species worldwide, with over 1,400 species. These were traditionally divided into two suborders: the largely fruit-eating Giant Bats, and the echolocating microbats. Many bats are insectivores, and most of the rest are frugivores (fruit-eaters) or nectarivores (nectar-eaters). A few species feed on animals other than insects; for example, the vampire bats feed on blood. Most bats are nocturnal, and many roost in caves or other refuges; it is uncertain whether bats have these behaviours to escape predators. Bats are present throughout the world, with the exception of extremely cold regions. They are important in their ecosystems for pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds; many tropical plants depend entirely on bats for these services.
Bats provide humans with some direct benefits, at the cost of some disadvantages. On the benefits side, bat dung has been and in many places still is mined as guano from caves and used as fertiliser. Bats consume insect pests. They are used as food across Eastern Kelldoria and beyond. On the disadvantages side, fruit bats are frequently considered a pest by fruit growers. Due to their physiology, bats are one type of animal that acts as a natural reservoir of many pathogens, such as rabies; and since they are highly mobile, social, and long-lived, they can readily spread disease among themselves. If humans interact with bats, these traits become potentially dangerous to humans.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Beast, Bat: Head, Torso covered in short fur, two upper arms which are wings connected from the shoulder, and two legs ending in claws.
Biological Traits
The smallest bat, and arguably the smallest extant mammal, is a hog-nosed bat, which is 29–34 millimetres (1 1⁄8–1 3⁄8 inches) in length, 150 mm (6 in) across the wings and 2–2.6 g (1⁄16–3⁄32 oz) in mass. The largest bats are the flying foxes, which can weigh 1.6 kg (3 1⁄2 lb) and have a wingspan of 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in).
Ecology and Habitats
Most bats are nocturnal, and many roost in caves or other refuges; it is uncertain whether bats have these behaviours to escape predators. Bats are present throughout the world, with the exception of extremely cold regions. They are important in their ecosystems for pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds; many tropical plants depend entirely on bats for these services.
Bats provide humans with some direct benefits, at the cost of some disadvantages. On the benefits side, bat dung has been and in many places still is mined as guano from caves and used as fertiliser. Bats consume insect pests. They are used as food across Eastern Kelldoria and beyond. On the disadvantages side, fruit bats are frequently considered a pest by fruit growers.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Many bats are insectivores, and most of the rest are frugivores (fruit-eaters) or nectarivores (nectar-eaters). A few species feed on animals other than insects; for example, the vampire bats feed on blood.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
from mini hog like faces to the faces of foxes.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
- Blindsight 60ft, and
- Passive Perception 11
A Bat by Uwe Schmidt
A Bat in Flight by C.Robiller
Origin/Ancestry
Beast (Bat)
Lifespan
30 years to 70 years (Averaging 50 years)
Average Weight
weight varies from the hog-nosed bat at 2–2.6 g (1⁄16–3⁄32 oz) in mass to the flying foxes, which can weigh 1.6 kg (3 1⁄2 lb).
Average Length
Size varies from the hog-nosed bat at 29–34 millimetres (1 1⁄8–1 3⁄8 inches) in length, 150 mm (6 in) across the wings to the flying foxes with a wingspan of 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in).
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
reddish-Brown fur to Blackish-Grey, varies between Bat type.
A Bat Closeup by Prof.emeritus Hans Schneider
A Flying Fox Bat by Anton 17
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