Bat facts

Bats are mammals that have over time developed some adaptations that make them stand out from other mammals.

First, they can fly; in fact they are the only true mammals that can fly. Other mammals that look like they are flying, like the flying squirrel are in fact gliding.

Bats differ. They are able to gain height because their hands are incorporated into the wings; hence, their Order name is Chiroptera – meaning hand wing.

Second, they can echolocate, emitting ultrasonic sound that allows them to hunt and move around at night.

Third, their sperm can be stored for many months and remain fertile. Male bats are able to store sperm for long periods before mating. The female bat is able to store the sperm in her uterus over the winter, ready for ovulation in the spring, when the temperature warms up. This means bats in temperate environments will mate during the autumn.

Fourth, we have the wings. An amazing part of the bat body structure, the wing membrane stretches and encompasses the tail, the body, hands, legs, and feet. The metacarpals and finger bones (phalanges) are very elongated, though still keeping the basic structure of a hand.

Fifth, not only can bats fly they can also crawl and climb quite happily. This is due to a modification in the upper leg bone of the femur (the hind leg). This bone is rotated 180° from the normal position,

meaning that the knee of a bat is directed backwards instead of forwards.

Sixth, though bats look deceptively large and heavy when flying, they are in fact quite lightweight to enable them to forage over long distances. With their wings folded up majority of bat species are small enough to fit into an adult’s hand.

Seventh, bats have a large stomach and a short intestine. The stomach allows them to store as much food as possible during peak feeding time, while the intestine allows them to digest their food quickly, allowing them to keep their weight low when flying.

Eight, bats can hang upside down when they are awake and when they are hibernating. A special locking mechanism on their feet allows bats to grip and cling to a surface and stay locked whether they are alert or relaxed.

Ninth, bats have adapted over time to fit into many different ecosystems around the world. There are over 1,100 species of bats in the world. We can find 17 bats in the UK, 68 species of bats in Trinidad and a whopping 175 bats in Indonesia. Here in the UK our bats are insectivorous. However, other bats living elsewhere have specialised into eating fruit, fish, nectar, pollen, blood, birds, small mammals, as well as other bat species.