Chiroptera Species in Odyssey Earth | World Anvil

Chiroptera

Chiroptera is the scientific order that encompasses bats. These fascinating mammals are characterized by their unique ability to fly, thanks to elongated fingers covered by a thin skin membrane. Bats are diverse in size and habits, ranging from the tiny bats to the giant flying foxes. They are found worldwide and play crucial roles in ecosystems as pollinators, seed dispersers, and insect controllers. Bats use echolocation for navigation and hunting, emitting high-frequency sound waves and interpreting the returning echoes. With over 1,400 species, Chiroptera represents a diverse and ecologically important group within the animal kingdom.