Why do animals have different tails? Some questions regarding the role of tails in different animals
Contrary to their name, their bat namesakes are not even related to ordinary mice. While ordinary mice belong to the order of rodents, bat mice are representatives of the order Chiroptera, which has little overlap with rodents. But where did the name "bat" come from? The fact is that bats were so named due to their small size and squeak, very similar to the squeak of mouse rodents.
Bat - description, structure. What does a bat look like?
The order Chiroptera, to which bats actually belong, is especially notable for the fact that they are, in fact, the only mammals capable of flight. Now, it’s true that the order of bats includes not only flying mice, but also other no less flying brothers: flying dogs, flying mice, as well as fruit flying mice, which differ from their brothers - ordinary bats, both in their habits and body structure.
As we already mentioned, bats small size. The weight of the smallest representative of this species, the pig-nosed bat, does not exceed 2 grams, and the body length reaches a maximum of 3.3 cm. In fact, this is one of the smallest representatives of the animal kingdom.
Most big representative bat family - a giant false vampire, has a mass of 150-200 g, and a wingspan of up to 75 cm.
Different species of bats have different skull structures, the number of teeth also varies and largely depends on the diet of a particular species. For example, the tailless long-tongued leaf-nosed insect, which feeds on nectar, has an elongated facial part. Nature made it so wise that he had somewhere to accommodate his long tongue, in turn necessary for obtaining food.
But predator bats that feed on insects already have the so-called heterodont dental system, which includes incisors, canines and molars. Small bats that eat even more small insects, have up to 38 small teeth, while large vampire bats have only up to 20. The fact is that vampires do not need many teeth, since they do not chew food. But they have sharp fangs that make a bleeding wound on the body of the victim.
Traditionally, bats, almost all species, have large ears, which are responsible, among other things, for their amazing echolocation abilities.
The forelimbs of bats were transformed into wings over a long period of time. The elongated fingers began to serve as the frame of the wing. But the first finger with the claw remains free. With its help, bats can even eat and perform various other actions, although in some of them, such as smoky bats, it is not functional.
Speed bat depends on the shape and structure of its wing. They, in turn, can be very long, or vice versa with a slight extension. Wings with less aspect ratio do not allow development higher speed, but they can be easily maneuvered, which is very useful for bats living in the forest, which often have to fly among the treetops. In general, the flight speed of a bat ranges from 11 to 54 km per hour. But the Brazilian folded lip, from the genus of bulldog bats, is absolute record holder in terms of flight speed - it is capable of reaching speeds of up to 160 km per hour!
The hind limbs of bats have characteristic difference- they are turned to the sides knee joints back. With the help of well-developed hind legs bats hang upside down, in this seemingly (to us) uncomfortable position they sleep.
Bats, like any decent mammals, have a tail, which can also be different lengths depending on the type. They also have bodies (and sometimes limbs) covered with fur. The coat can be smooth, shaggy, short or thick, again depending on the species. The color also varies, usually whitish and yellowish shades predominate.
Honduran white bat with a very unusual coloring - White wool contrasts with yellow ears and nose.
However, there are also representatives of bats with a body completely without hair - these are two naked-skinned bats from Southeast Asia.
The vision of bats leaves much to be desired; the eyes are poorly developed. In addition, they do not distinguish colors at all. But poor eyesight is more than compensated by excellent hearing, which, in fact, is the main sense organ in these animals. For example, some of the bats can detect the rustling of insects swarming in the grass.
Their charm is also well developed. For example, females of the Brazilian folded lip are able to find their cubs by smell. Some bats sense their prey by smell, as well as by hearing, and can also distinguish between “their” and “foreign” bats.
How do bats navigate in the dark?
It's simple, bats “see with their ears.” After all, they have such amazing property like echolocation. How does it work? And so, animals emit ultra sound waves, which are reflected from objects and return back through the echo. Incoming return signals are carefully recorded by bats, thanks to this they are perfectly oriented in space and even hunt. Moreover, through reflected sound waves they can not only see their potential prey, but even determine its speed and size.
To publish ultra sound signals Nature has provided bats with a specially designed mouth and nose. First, the sound originates in the throat, then is produced by the mouth and goes to the nose, radiating through the nostrils. The nostrils themselves have various bizarre projections that serve to shape and focus sound.
People can only hear how bats squeak, because the ultrasonic waves emitted by them are not perceived by the human ear. Interesting fact: earlier, when humanity did not know about the existence of ultrasound, the amazing orientation of bats in pitch darkness was explained by the presence of extrasensory abilities.
Where do bats live?
They live practically all over the world, of course, with the exception of the cold Arctic regions. But most of them live in the tropics and subtropics.
Bats are nocturnal or crepuscular. During the day, they usually hide in various shelters, both underground and above ground. They especially love caves, quarries, mines, and can hide in tree hollows or under branches. Some bats even take shelter under bird nests during the day.
Bats, as a rule, live in small colonies - up to several dozen individuals. But there are colonies of bats that are much more populous; the colony of Brazilian folded lips is considered a record, boasting the presence of 20 million individuals. On the other hand, there are bats that prefer to lead a solitary lifestyle.
Where do bats hibernate?
Some of the bats living in our temperate latitudes, with the onset of winter cold, they similarly fall into hibernation. Some, like birds, migrate to warmer places.
Why do bats sleep upside down?
The seemingly strange habit of bats sleeping upside down, hanging on their hind legs, also has very practical reasons. The fact is that this position allows them to instantly take flight. To do this, you just need to unclench your paws. Thus, less energy is wasted and time is saved, which can be very important in case of danger. The hind legs of bats are designed in such a way that hanging on them does not require the expenditure of muscle energy.
What do bats eat?
Most bats feed on insects, but there are also absolute vegetarians among them, preferring pollen and plant nectar, as well as various fruits. There are also omnivorous bats that love both plant food and small insects, and some large species even hunt fish and small birds. The bats - excellent hunters, largely due to their wonderful echolocation property, which we described above. They stand apart in terms of nutrition vampire bats, feeding exclusively on the blood of wild and domestic animals (however, they can also feast on human blood), hence the name.
Types of bats, photos and names
Here is a description of the most interesting bats in our opinion.
It is especially interesting for its appearance, yellow ears and nose against a background of white fur. It also differs from other bats in the absence of a tail. The white leaf-nosed plant is very small in size, its body length does not exceed 4.7 cm, and its weight is 7 grams. Leaf-noses live in the South and Central America, preferring moist forests as a home. They are herbivores and feed exclusively on fruits. They live in small colonies of up to ten individuals.
The giant noctule is the largest bat found in Europe. The body length of the noctule reaches 10 cm, and the weight is 76 grams. Has brown fur. The noctule usually lives in forests, inhabiting tree hollows. You can also find it on the territory of our Ukraine. Feeds large insects, beetles, butterflies. Also listed in the Red Book.
It is notable for the fact that it is the most small representative bat family. Its length is only 2.9-3.3 cm, and everything is no more than 2 grams. However, it has quite large ears. The nose is very similar to the snout of a pig, hence the name of this species. The pig-nosed bat's color is often gray or dark brown. Live in South-East Asia, especially many of them live in Thailand and its neighboring countries. Interesting feature The habit of pig-nosed mice is their collective hunting. They hunt in groups of up to five individuals at night. Due to their small numbers, pig-nosed bats are currently listed in the Red Book.
This species got its name due to the color of its fur, which has two colors - its back is red or dark brown, and its belly is white or gray. The two-colored kazan lives across a wide range: from England and France to Pacific Ocean. These bats are found not only in natural conditions, but also in human cities, they may well live in the attics and eaves of houses. Night for them is the time to hunt for various small animals - flies, moths. Also endangered.
She is also Daubanton's bat, named after the French naturalist Louis Jean Marie Daubanton. It has small size, its length is no more than 5.5 cm, and its weight is up to 15 grams. The fur color is usually dark or brown. The habitat is the same as that of the kazhan, almost throughout the entire territory of Eurasia. The life of the water bat is closely connected with bodies of water (hence the first name), it is near them that they like to hunt, especially mosquitoes, which are also found in abundance near ponds and lakes.
The Ushan is so named due to its amazing, by no means small, ears. The long-eared bat also lives in Eurasia, but is also found in North Africa. They like to live in mountain caves, where they lead sedentary image life.
He is also the small-headed bat - the smallest representative of bats in Europe, his body length is no more than 45 mm, and his weight is up to 6 grams. His body really looks a lot like a body common mouse, only with wings. This species also loves to settle in places close to humans.
This species is mountainous, as it loves to settle in mountain caves, canyons, and crevices. It lives over a wide geographical range - Eurasia and North Africa, wherever there is mountainous terrain you can find a large horseshoe bat. They hunt moths and beetles.
It is thanks to this species that bats, which are generally very useful in the ecosystem (at least by killing mosquitoes), have their bad reputation. But an ordinary vampire, in fact, like the famous Count Dracula, feeds on blood, including possibly human blood. But as a rule, various domestic animals become their victims and food supply: pigs. Vampires, as expected, go about their dark business at night, when their victims are in deep sleep. They sit on them unnoticed, biting through the skin of the victim, from which they then drink blood. However, a vampire bite is invisible and painless thanks to special secret which they possess. But this is where the danger lies, since the victim may die from blood loss. A vampire bite can also transmit the rabies or plague virus. Fortunately, vampire bats live only in the subtropics of Central and South America; in our latitudes, bats are absolutely harmless.
How do bats reproduce?
Bats usually breed twice a year: in spring and autumn. Also different time The duration of pregnancy in bats depends on the habitat and species. Females give birth to one to three babies at a time.
The development of small bats occurs very quickly; after just a week, the cub doubles in size. At first, the babies feed on their mother's milk, and after a month of life they begin to hunt on their own.
How long do bats live?
The lifespan of bats ranges from 4 to 30 years, again depending on the species and habitat.
Enemies of bats
Bats also have their own enemies, who in turn can hunt them. Usually this predator birds: peregrine falcons, hobby hawks, and also owls. A snake, marten and weasel will not mind grabbing a bat.
But the main enemy of bats (as well as many other animals) is, of course, humans. The use of chemicals in crop production has significantly reduced the number of bats; many of the species are already listed in the Red Book, as they are on the verge of extinction.
Bat bite
All bats, with the exception of the common vampire, do not pose any danger to humans, and they can bite only for the purpose of self-defense.
Why are bats dangerous?
Again, with the exception of blood-sucking vampire bats, other representatives of this order are completely harmless.
Benefits of bats
But the benefits of bats are much greater:
- Firstly, they are exterminators of many harmful and unpleasant insects (especially mosquitoes), which are carriers of possible diseases. They also eat butterflies and caterpillars - pests of fruit forests.
- Secondly, herbivorous bats that feed on nectar simultaneously contribute to plant pollination by transporting pollen over long distances.
- Thirdly, the droppings of some bats are very useful as fertilizers.
- And fourthly, bats are very important for science, especially when it comes to the study of ultrasound and echolocation.
How to get rid of bats
But still, if bats have settled near the house, for example, under the roof, despite all their benefits, they can be annoying, especially because of their squeaking. To get rid of bats under your roof, cottage or attic, you need to follow these instructions:
- First you will need to find a place where bats rest during the day. Then, waiting for them to fly away night hunting, just cover this place with a mount or something else.
- You can try to smoke them out.
- You can spray their habitats with special sprays whose odors will repel mice.
- Bats always fly to the left side of cover.
- Substances contained in the saliva of vampires are now used as medicines to prevent the formation of blood clots.
- If in our culture bats are associated with vampires and other evil spirits, then in Chinese culture they are, on the contrary, symbols of harmony and happiness.
- The bat is very voracious, so in an hour it can eat up to 100 mosquitoes, in human terms, this is about the same as eating a hundred pizzas in an hour.
Bats video
And finally, an interesting video about bats.
Bat. Facts, myths, legends...
Bats are mammals that can fly. Belongs to the order Chiroptera and lives on all continents except the Far North. The animal's body is covered with fur. The leather membrane connecting the forelimbs, sides of the body and hind limbs forms a kind of wing that provides its owner with high speed and super maneuverability. The "face" of a bat at the same time resembles a muzzle regular mouse and pork snout. There are almost a thousand species of bats on earth. Among them there are babies whose wingspan does not exceed 12 cm and a weight of 3 grams, and giants with a wingspan of up to 2 meters and a weight of up to 2 kg (such a “bird” is found in India).
The bat, despite the frightening appearance, one of the most harmless, useful and amazing creations of nature! For example, bats navigate in pitch darkness using echolocation: they emit ultrasound with an oscillation frequency of 40,000-120,000 Hz and receive the reflected signal with their own huge ears. With the help of this “night vision”, bats detect obstacles and obstacles in the dark, as well as insects that they hunt. This mouse flies with amazing speed - it can catch and eat two insects in one second.
It is estimated that every tenth of the class of mammals on Earth is a representative of the order Chiroptera. Of all mammals, bats are second in number only to rodents. And this is not surprising, since scientists believe that bats have lived on Earth for millions of years.Bats feed mainly on insects. Some species hunt mice, fish and frogs, others feed on fruits and nectar. There are also those who consume blood. These vampire bats, native to Latin America, drink the blood of animals. The length of its body is 6-7 cm. By the way, the vampire bat is one of the few species of bats that can walk on the ground. They sneak up on grazing cattle, climb on top of them, bite through the skin and lick the dripping blood. However, this vampire cannot drink more than one teaspoon of blood per day. And it does not attack sleeping people, despite all the idle legends!
Bat in the Urals. Lifestyle of bats.
The bat is a thermophilic mammal that lives mainly in warm regions. North of them species diversity per unit area is noticeably reduced. For example, in temperate climate In Russia, about 50-100 individuals live on 1 square kilometer, and in the tropics there are hundreds of times more of them!
Our region is inhabited mainly by harmless bats, which feed on insects and benefit humans. The Urals are home to 8 species of bats: bats (whiskered bat, water bat and pond bat), northern bat, dwarf bat, rufous noctule, long-eared bat and two-colored bat.
It is noteworthy that one small individual quite quickly clears the garden area of annoying mosquitoes, eating about 600 mosquitoes per hour. Gardeners also appreciate the benefits of bats: these agile animals hunt mainly at night and destroy pests while the birds sleep.
The wintering habitat of bats is different for different types- some leave their homes and fly south, others begin to look for a cozy and safe shelter. Most representatives huddle in dark and cramped spaces, where average temperature may remain positive even in frosty conditions (cellar, attic, abandoned mine or cave). Colonies during this period can reach several thousand individuals. The duration of hibernation is about 5-9 months, depending on the climate and habitat.
During periods of wakefulness, the bat leaves the shelter at night, and during the day again plunges into hibernation. We can conclude that these representatives spend more than 90% of their entire lives in hibernation. Secluded and dark places are chosen for sleeping: church domes, attics, caves, etc. Eyewitnesses say that in old churches and abandoned houses you can smell a sweet musky smell, which comes from colonies of bats. Such places of residence are ideal for nocturnal mammals, because during the day they are quite quiet and calm.
How do bats reproduce?
On average, a bat lives two to three years and reproduces once every year. Offspring appears in warm time year (May-June), since it is during this period that insects become active and form a food supply for flyers. The birth of babies (one or two) occurs on the 45-50th day of pregnancy. They are born completely blind and naked, and are fed mother's milk. Fast development offspring leads to the fact that already on the 6-7th day of life the body weight doubles, and by 2 months the first independent hunt becomes possible.
During the active period of bats (5-6 months a year), the young grow up, accumulate fat reserves and “spread their wings”, after which the entire family goes to spend the winter. As a rule, this happens at the end of summer. Organized wintering grounds for bats are located in many Ural caves and reach hundreds and thousands of individuals. The largest wintering grounds were observed in the Pashiyskaya and Divya caves ( Perm region), Laklinskaya Cave (Chelyabinsk), Kapova Cave (Bashkiria), etc. Small settlements are located in the Nizhne-Serginsky caves ( Sverdlovsk region) etc.
Bat settlements
Chiropterans benefit humans, which is why many species are listed in the Red Book.Sometimes their settlement in a residential building may be undesirable due to harsh sounds, droppings and a specific smell. However, such inconveniences are minor and rare, so bats should not be blamed for their harmfulness.IN wildlife individuals settle in caves, hollows of old trees, and sometimes under peeling bark. The choice of location takes into account the availability of a rich food supply. Therefore, settlements are often organized in buildings near reservoirs, rivers and headquarters where insects gather.The favorite places of bats are human buildings: basements, hangars, sheds, attics, garages, old churches, etc. The main thing is that the room protects the animal and its offspring from sun rays, severe cold and excessive moisture.In the city, bats can choose a balcony or a gap between the ceilings. Thanks to their natural flexibility and dexterity, the animals squeeze into the smallest cracks and holes with a diameter of several centimeters.Fastidious bats only live in suitable properties and in normal environmental conditions. They never attack humans and do not carry dangerous diseases. Therefore, do not rush to drive the mammal out of the secluded place to which they become attached so quickly and for a long time. The settled bat returns to the “nest” every year.
How to get rid of bats in your home
Chiropterans choose remote areas with stable humidity and temperature. Any fluctuations, as well as frosts and drafts, are destructive for them. Animals also need a rough surface to cling to with their claws.It is known that bats cannot tolerate strong odors, so you can smoke out the flyer using antiseptics. Loud and sharp sounds also frighten these mammals.Representatives avoid direct sunlight, since most of their body (including wings) is covered with thin skin, which quickly dries out in the sun.In nature, the enemies of bats are birds (owls, owls, eagle owls), as well as small predators(marten, sable, ferret, etc.).
Important! The bats - caring parents. Starting from June-July, the female feeds the offspring, so she will not leave the nest until the babies are able to move independently. Do not remove animals during this period. You should start fighting unwanted neighbors either before mid-May or after mid-August. You should also not drive away bats during the cold winter months. During this period, the animal is hibernating and, in case of premature awakening, dies from low temperatures and hunger.
If you find flyers outside the room, it will be easier to get rid of them. To do this, hang colorful Balloons and foil strips. It is necessary that these objects actively rustle from the draft.
Another way to scare the flyers is to shower the settlement with a cool shower. Attach a fine mist nozzle to the hose and spray the area where the animals are roosting. Chiropterans do not like moisture, so after several similar water “procedures” the colony will leave the building.
If bats have settled indoors (attic, barn, cellar, etc.), then you will need mothballs to fight. Near the nest of animals (can be detected by the presence of droppings), place balls wrapped in gauze or thin cloth.
Hardware stores and garden departments may sell special sprays and nozzles that are used to treat bat nesting areas. They must be used when there are no animals. Can be used ultrasonic devices for repelling rodents
. A certain frequency of sound signals disorients mammals and forces them to leave their homes.
There is another effective one, but complex method. Wait until the bats fly out of the nest and seal all the cracks through which you can enter the house (attic, barn, garage, etc.). Open up the gaps polyurethane foam or board it up.
It is quite easy to drive out a lone bat. Leave the room, leaving the light on and open window. The flyer will independently find a way out and quickly leave the room. You should not catch an animal with your bare hands - it may bite!
Conclusion.
In the distant Middle Ages, various prejudices existed. For example, if the inquisitors discovered a bat in the attic (cellar, barn, etc.) of a house, then the owner of the room was sentenced to be burned in the flames of a fire. It is not surprising that some people still perceive flyers as an evil spirit, a symbol of horror and impending misfortune. Finding colonies of animals that have united for the winter in attics, churches, hangars, etc., people often destroy settlements and smoke defenseless flyers out into the street, where certain death awaits them. Of course, the appearance of bats does not evoke affection, and for some it even gives rise to a feeling of disgust and disgust. But we must always remember that appearances are deceiving.
People everywhere use chemical solutions to combat harmful insects (pesticides against ticks, preparations against aphids and spiders, repellents Colorado potato beetles etc.). For this reason, in recent decades, the number of chiropteran representatives has decreased significantly. Firstly, the food supply for animals has greatly decreased. Secondly, it has been installed more than once mass death bats that continued to feed on poisoned insects.
The number of secluded shelters (tree hollows, mountain faults, caves, etc.) is decreasing more and more. But even here a person manages to aggravate natural process. For example, tourists visiting caves in winter period, for fun and rare photographs wake up hibernating flyers. But this is absolutely impossible to do. A sleeping animal lowers its own body temperature to the ambient temperature. Metabolism in the body also slows down significantly. In order to emergency warm up after such an awakening, the bat spends all its fat reserves. Many representatives quickly die from low temperatures and drafts, while others die from lack of food (insects) in winter. Don't condemn animals to certain death!
Bats are safe and harmless neighbors for humans, and can also be beneficial for homestead farming. During the day, the animal eats a significant number of insects, including pests and annoying mosquitoes. Zoologists have found that an adult eats at one time as much biomass as 30% of its own weight.
Experienced owners make every effort to attract night hunters to their garden or vegetable garden. In some countries (including Russia), it is customary to make special nesting houses where a bat can live in the future. They are placed on trees, under the canopies of houses, and also on special poles. If successful, the animal will settle for a long time and will bring a lot of benefits to your garden or garden plot.
Bats are the only mammals that can fly. The leathery membranes between their long fingers form wings. The surface of the wings is covered with fur fibers. Body length from 3 to 40 centimeters, wingspan from 18 to 150 centimeters, weight from 4 to 900 grams.
Throughout the history of our planet, only three groups of animals have taken to the air. In the past these were pterosaur lizards; nowadays insects and birds fly. Mammals, although there are glider pilots and parachutists among them, did not really learn to fly and remained on the ground. All except the animals of one order, which is called the order Chiroptera...
It is usually customary to call all bats bats. Nose scientific point From a perspective, such a union is incorrect. It is no coincidence that the order of bats is divided into two suborders - fruit bats and bats. There are approximately 800 species of bats. And the rest (about 150 species) are fruit bats. Although they have wings, although they are part of the order Chiroptera, they are not bats. (The largest fruit bats are called flying foxes and flying dogs, although, it goes without saying, they have nothing to do with genuine foxes and dogs.)
Bats of the Desmodidae family can not only fly, but also run quickly on the ground. Desmodes running in the dark resembles a frog or a giant spider.
Almost all bats lead night look life: they sleep during the day and hunt at night. Most species feed on insects. The largest species, fruit bats, eat fruit. Leaf-noses tropical America, have adapted to feeding on juicy fruits and flower nectar. Desmodidae, closely related to leaf-noses, have adapted to feeding on the blood of higher vertebrates. They attack some birds, wild and domestic mammals, and sometimes even sleeping people. Desmodidae are the only order of bats that feed on blood; all other orders have nothing to do with bloodsuckers. Moths and harelips feed almost exclusively small fish and aquatic invertebrates. Some bats can snatch fish out of the water with their paws.
They live in all countries of the world, with the exception of the Arctic and Antarctica. Bats themselves do not build shelters (such as burrows or nests). They settle in natural shelters or those built by other animals and humans. The various refuges of bats can be divided into the following groups: caves (natural) and cave-like underground structures (for example, mines); cavities under the domes of mausoleums, churches and cathedrals; shelters directly related to human habitation (attics, cavities under eaves, behind cladding, shutters, platbands); hollow trees and random shelters. Small concentrations or individual animals were found, for example, in the burrows of shore swallows, in woodpiles of firewood, and in haystacks. Herding (formation of colonies) is characteristic of most species. One colony can have from two or three individuals to several million animals living in one shelter. The desire to unite with each other, the herd instinct in bats is so highly developed that sometimes it deprives them of freedom or life. Bats sleep, hanging upside down, wrapped in their wings, like in a cloak. And representatives of the bulldog family are curious because, when resting, they use special claws to stuff their wings into special leathery pockets. In winter, bats hibernate.
Enemies of insectivorous bats, fortunately, are few in number. Owls and owls attack flying animals, however, even among owls they are only incidental prey, an addition to their main food.
Only desmodes (vampires) of South America, which feed on the blood of vertebrates and sometimes humans, are considered harmful. The main harm caused by them is associated not so much with blood loss, but with the transmission of the rabies virus and pathogenic microbes by desmodes.
Leaf-nosed fruits are often eaten not at the place where they grow, but are transferred to other places convenient for the animals. Small seeds of many fruits that have passed through digestive tract leaf-bearing plants do not lose their ability to germinate. Therefore, large leaf-nosed insects are regarded more as distributors tree species. Long-tongued leaf-nosed insects help pollinate plants. In some species tropical trees pollination occurs only with the participation of leaf-noses. The vast majority of bats bring only benefits, destroying many harmful insects. Large bats (leather bats) eat harmful moths and beetles, and small bats, bats, long-eared bats and long-winged bats destroy many small dipterans, including mosquitoes (carriers of malaria) and mosquitoes. Bat droppings provide high quality fertilizer. In terms of nitrogen and phosphorus content, it is many times higher than other natural fertilizers. Bats are of significant interest as irreplaceable objects for solving a number of general biological and technical problems. Lowering body temperature is now used to treat some human diseases. The mechanics of bat flight have long attracted the attention of non-motorized aircraft designers. In the first models, the wings were made of solid panels, structurally similar to the wings of bats. Many institutes and laboratories different countries are engaged in a detailed study of echolocation, which is of not only theoretical but also great practical interest.
Sixth Sense
In flight, bats produce very high-frequency sounds called ultrasound. The sensitive ears of bats pick up sound reflected by surrounding objects, which is why the animals do not encounter obstacles even in complete darkness. Ultrasound is reflected not only by objects, but also by nearby animals. This is how bats find their food. This mechanism is called echolocation. The echolocation mechanism in bats has reached very high perfection. We cannot even imagine the range of sounds perceived by these animals. They perceive not only the ultrasonic signal coming from another source, but also the reflection (echo) of their own signal. This is the first and main condition for the phenomenon of echolocation. They distinguish the reflection of “their” signal from a mixture of many other sound and ultrasonic waves. By the speed of signal return (echo), bats determine the distance to an object (not only to a cave wall or tree trunk, but also to such small creatures as a flying Drosophila fly). By reflection ultrasonic pulse the animal accurately determines the shape and size of an object. In this sense, he “sees” objects with his perceptive (auditory) apparatus with no less accuracy than we perceive them with our organs of vision. Using ultrasound, bats “feel” their surroundings and fill the surrounding space, reduced by darkness, to the nearest objects visible to the eye. In the larynx of a bat, the vocal cords are stretched in the form of peculiar strings, which, vibrating, produce sound. The larynx, in its structure, resembles an ordinary whistle. The air exhaled from the lungs rushes through it like a whirlwind, creating a “whistle” of a very high frequency. The bat echolocator is a very accurate navigation “device”: it is able to take direction even of a microscopically small object - with a diameter of only 0.1 millimeters!
The bats - the only mammals that have mastered the air thanks to the presence of wings. In addition, the bat is not related to the terrestrial mouse either in origin or in lifestyle.
What species is a bat? She belongs to the order Chiroptera, whose name speaks for itself. Why are bats called mice? she was named for the remote external resemblance with a land rodent and the ability to make sounds similar to a mouse squeak.
Appearance
Bat, description: most of the animal's body is devoted to the wings. If you do not take them into account, you can note the miniature body with short neck and an outstretched head. The mouth slit of the animals is large, sharp teeth are visible through it.
Some types of bats charm people with their pretty faces, while others scare unusual shape nose, disproportionate big ears and amazing growths on the head.
The cutest bats of the fruit bat family considered a fruit dog: she has big ones open eyes And elongated nose, similar to a fox. Interestingly, some of the names were given based on the shape of the animals’ noses: pig-nosed, horseshoe-nosed, smooth-nosed.
The white bat has a kind of “horn” on its muzzle, giving its nose the shape of a petal. Thanks to this device, the animal's nostrils are directed forward capture odors faster and more efficiently.
No less The bulldog mouse has a specific appearance: on its muzzle in the transverse direction there is a cartilaginous fold running above the nose from one ear to the other. The cartilaginous roller brings the edges of the ears together, increasing their area for more perfect hearing, necessary for orientation in space during flight.
In the face animal you can “read” about the lifestyle and even about mouse nutrition. For example, fruit lovers do not need the powerful locators required flying representatives, cutting through the surroundings at night. But their nostrils are wider: they search for food based on smells.
Photo
What a bat looks like: see photo below:
Structure
Birds have adapted to flight thanks to lightweight cellular bones, air sacs in the lungs, and feathers that are heterogeneous in structure and function. Flying bats don't have all this, and the skin membranes can hardly be called wings.
How do bats fly? Flight mice like flying aircraft Leonardo da Vinci, who adopted from nature the idea of the structure of the wing of a flying mammal.
A continuous, air-impermeable membrane of skin “covers” air masses from above, which allows the animals to push off from them and fly.
Skeleton and wings
The skeleton of a bat has its own characteristics. Limbs bats are modified: they serve as the backbone for the wing. The humerus of these animals is short, and the bones of the forearm and the last 4 fingers are elongated in order to increase the area of the flight “mantle”.
A fibrous skin fold is stretched from the neck to the fingertips of the animals. Thumb with a tenacious claw is not included in the wing, it necessary for the animal to grasp. Between the hind legs and long tail the posterior (interfemoral) part of the membrane is stretched.
See what bat wings look like in the photo below:
Flight
The arm with the wing is driven by several paired muscles of the upper girdle, which to reduce energy costs for flights attached not to the sternum, but to the fibrous base wing The keel of the sternum of animals is inferior in power to that of birds: only one muscle necessary for flight is attached to it - the pectoralis major.
Spine at flying mammals more mobile than birds. It allows mice to be more maneuverable outside the air.
Movement on the ground
How does a bat move? Evolution has deprived bats of strong bones lower belt, thigh and lower leg, leaving behind them the right to fly most of their lives.
Some types of mice, such as vampire mice, have stronger femurs and able to walk on the ground. The support for them is the thickened skin of the paw pads. Fruit bats cannot move in this way and do it extremely clumsily.
Dimensions and weight
Length of a tiny body animals inhabiting Russia are usually does not exceed 5 cm, the wingspan of the smallest of them is 18 cm. The mass of record-breaking little ones is 2-5 g.
Long-eared mice, white mice and pig-nosed mice are small in size. Representative last type considered one of the smallest mammals on the ground.
Large individuals weigh up to a kilogram. The distance between the tips of the toes of the front paws with the wings spread can reach one and a half meters, and the body length can be 40 cm. Fruit bats, South American false vampires, are considered real giants among bats.
Sense organs
Bats' reaction to light: bat retinas lack cones– receptors responsible for daytime vision.
Their vision is twilight and is provided by rods. That's why During the day, animals are forced to sleep, because in daylight they see poorly.
Some representatives have eyes covered with bizarre skin folds. This once again confirms the hypothesis that navigate in mouse space without using a visual analyzer. Close relatives of bats, fruit bats, also belonging to the order Chiroptera, have cones. These animals can also be seen during the day.
Minor role for animals there was a visual analyzer identified during simple experiment : when the animals were blindfolded, they did not stop navigating their surroundings. When the same was repeated with the ears, the mice began to bump into walls and objects in the room.
How do mice see in the dark?
How do bats navigate? In the dark? What sounds do bats make? Amazing ability bats fly and get food without vision was discovered after using sensitive sensors managed to record ultrasonic signals, which animals make during flight.
The ultrasound of bats, which is inaudible to the human ear, is reflected from surrounding objects within a radius of 15 meters, returns to the animal, is collected by the pinna and analyzed by the inner ear. Animals have fine hearing.
Nutrition
Volatile mammals have their own food preferences. Based on which product is the animal’s favorite, the following are distinguished:
- insectivores;
- carnivores;
- fruit eaters or vegetarians;
- fish-eating mice;
- vampires.
Read interesting article about how mice hunt in nature.
Dream
Sleep representatives of bats prefer upside down. With the claws of their hind legs, they cling to a horizontal crossbar or a tree branch, press their wings to their body and fall asleep. Why do bats sleep upside down (upside down)? They do not sleep while sitting: they are weak the bones of the lower extremities cannot withstand hours of stress on them while sleeping.
Sleeping bats, sensing danger, spread their wings, unclench the claws of their hind legs and fly away without wasting time getting up from a lying or sitting position.
Reproduction
How do bats reproduce and are born? Before hibernation animals open mating season. A few months after mating, the world is born 1-2 mice appear, which the mother feeds with milk for 2 weeks.
Cubs bat, are under guardianship mothers 3 weeks, after which they proceed to independent life. Ask how long bats live; there is evidence that bats can live up to 30 years.
Exotic next door
For interesting facts about bats, watch the video below:
During World War II, the Americans developed a project to bomb Japan using bats. At a temperature of 4 °C, when the animal hibernates, it was planned to attach incendiary bomb slow action. Already from the plane, thousands of bats had to descend from the planes on self-expanding parachutes, and after waking up, fly into hard-to-reach places of various buildings, setting them on fire. Although tests have confirmed the effectiveness this method“bombing”, the project was eventually curtailed, including due to the appearance of a nuclear bomb.
Bats are the only mammals that can fly. Bats fly through the air in such a unique way that they cannot be confused with almost other flying animals. Their wings are thin and large, like a mini parachute. Bats seem to constantly push off in the air; this movement is called “propulsion.”
Vampire bats do not suck blood. They drink it greedily. But don’t worry, there are only three species of bats in the world that drink blood. They are found, as a rule, in Central or South America, and drink blood mainly from animals, such as cows.
Bats are not obese. These creatures have an unusually fast metabolism - they can digest bananas, mangoes, and berries in about 20 minutes.
Over the past 50 years, fewer than 10 people have contracted rabies from North American bats. Many films often show that bats are carriers of diseases and toxic substances. But this is not true. Bats try to avoid people, much less attack them. If you are nevertheless bitten by a bat, you should consult a doctor, but you should not immediately prepare for the funeral; most likely, nothing serious will happen to you.
Bats navigate at night using ecolocation. Bats do not have good eyesight, especially at night, so during their flight they rely more on their hearing than on their sight. Bats send sound signals and listen to changes in the echo, thanks to this they navigate in the air. Bats are nocturnal animals, probably because at night it is easier for them to get food and hide from their opponents. Some bats can navigate at night, but still the vast majority go out to hunt only under the veil of night.
Bats make up one fourth of the mammalian class. And this is not fiction. A quarter of all mammals are bats. There are more than 1,100 species of these animals in the world.
More than 50 percent of bat species in the United States are critically endangered. People only start caring about something when it disappears. Human activity forced many mice to leave their habitats, some of them never found another shelter, others simply did not survive in the new environment.
It's a cold night and you're frozen? Then find some bats and learn how to curl up with them. Bats keep themselves warm even in severe weather with your wings. They wrap their wings around the body and create complete isolation Thus, it turns out to be a warm mini tent.
Perhaps bats will save millions of people. Scientists have discovered that an anticoagulant found in the saliva of vampire bats could soon be used to treat people with heart disease. Scientists around the world are trying to "copy" enzymes found in vampire bat saliva in order to treat many heart diseases and prevent heart attacks.
Bats produce only one offspring per year.
The common bat tends to live much longer than a dog. Average duration The life of a bat is constantly changing; the long-lived species are predominantly the brown bat species, which sometimes live for more than 30 years.
Bats are very clean. In general, bats spend much more time on their appearance than most teenagers spend in front of the mirror. They clean themselves and their partners very meticulously, licking and scratching themselves for hours.
Animals periodically stop making sounds for a split second in order to hear the leader’s signal and choose the direction of flight.
Some species of bats feed on nectar.
The scientific name of bats is bats, from the Greek cheir (hand) + pteron (wing).
The word "bat" appeared in 1570.
In 600 BC. e. Greek fabulist Aesop told a fable about a bat who borrowed money to start his own business. Her plan failed, and the bat was forced to hide during the day to avoid being seen by those from whom she borrowed money. According to Aesop, this is why bats are only active at night.
Bats are divided into two main groups: large bats, which feed mainly on fruit, and small bats, which feed on insects, frogs, blood, fish, lizards and birds.
Bats that feed on frogs can tell the difference between harmless and poisonous frogs by hearing the call of a male frog.
Scientists believe that bats first appeared 65-100 million years ago, at the same time as dinosaurs. Large bats are more closely related to primates (including humans) than to their smaller relatives.
In China and Japan, bats are symbols of happiness. In Chinese, the words "bat" and "luck" are pronounced the same - "fu".
The bat's wings form finger bones covered with thin skin. The wing membranes make up about 95% of the body surface. They help regulate body temperature, blood pressure, water balance and gas exchange.
Bats are the only mammals that can fly. The difference between bats and flying squirrels is that bats control their flight, while flying squirrels can only glide from tree to tree.
Unlike birds, which flap their entire forelimb, bats flap with their splayed toes.
Scientists are using an anticoagulant found in the saliva of vampire bats to treat stroke victims and patients with various heart diseases.
Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind. Many bats have good vision, and some species are even sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.
But if their eyesight doesn't impress you, their hearing will definitely amaze you - they can hear frequencies from 20 to 120,000 Hz. In comparison, humans can only hear between 20 and 20,000 Hz; and dogs - from 40 to 60,000 Hz.
Bats have the slowest reproductive rate of any mammal their size, and their gestation period also lasts longer than other animals.
Approximately 70% of bats eat insects. On average, a bat can eat more than 600 bugs in an hour - that's the same as the average person eating 20 pizzas in the evening.
The Dracula myth originated in Eastern Europe; however, actual vampire bats are found only in Central and South America.
Bats live on every continent except Antarctica. They live everywhere from the Arctic Circle to Argentina and the southern tip of South Africa.
Vampire bats are the only mammals that feed only on blood.
Contrary to popular belief, vampire mice do not actually “suck” blood. They “lick” it with their tongues, drinking two teaspoons of blood per night. Blood moves through the mouth through two channels under the tongue. Vampire mice need only red blood cells to live, so about two minutes after the start of the meal, the plasma leaves the mouse’s body in the form of urine.
Vampire bats must drink as much blood every day as they weigh.
The world's largest bat is the giant golden-crowned flying fox. rare view fruit-eating bats. Its wingspan is more than one and a half meters.
Bracken Bath Cave in Texas is home to the largest colony of bats in the world. More than 20 million individuals live there, which is double more population New York.
According to a survey conducted by Animal Planet, vampire bats are the third most feared animal. Only wolves and gorillas are ahead of them, and piranhas are right behind them.
The short-eared bat's heart rate is only 18 beats per minute during hibernation, compared to 880 when the mouse is active.
Most of us believe that animals, especially mammals, live 10-15 years. However, some species can live up to 30 years in the wild.