Information about: Bat

Index | Bat


Note: Information is dated. Do not rely on it.

Bat. One of the group of wing-handed, flying mammals, having the fore limb peculiarly modified so as to serve for flight; and constituting the order Chiroptera. Bats are animals of the twilight and darkness, and are common in temperate and warm regions, but are most numerous and largest in the tropics. The family Vespertilionidae includes most of the common, small, naked-faced bats found in Europe and America. A common species found in the United States is the little red bat, Lasiurus borealis, which may be seen flitting about in the streets and among the trees at twilight. During the day it remains in caverns, in the crevices of ruins, hollow trees, and such-like lurking places, and flits out at evening in search of food, which consists of insects. Many bats are remarkable for having a singular nasal cutaneous appendage, bearing in some cases a fancied resemblance to a horseshoe. Two of these horseshoe bats occur in Britain. Bats may be conveniently divided into two sections: the insectivorous or carnivorous, comprising most of the European, African, and American species; and the fruit-eating, belonging to tropical Asia and Australia, with several African forms. An Australian fruit-eating bat, commonly known as the kalong or flying fox, is the largest of all the bats, some specimens measuring forty inches from wing tip to wing tip; it does much mischief in orchards. At least five species of South American bats are known to suck the blood of other mammals, and thence are called "vampire-bats" (though this name has also been given to a species not guilty of this habit). The best known is the javelin bat of the Amazon region. As winter approaches in cold climates bats seek shelter in caverns, vaults, ruinous and deserted buildings, and similar retreats, where they cling together in large clusters, hanging head downward by the feet, and remain in a torpid condition until the returning spring recalls them to active exertions. Bats bring forth one or two young, which, while suckling, remain closely attached to the mother's teats, which are two, situated upon the chest. The parent shows a strong degree of attachment for her offspring, and, when they are captured, will follow them, and even submit to captivity herself rather than forsake her charge.