About 1,300 species of bats live on the planet, and all of them are divided into two large suborders. The first is the winged wings, which are part of the same family. The second - bats, numbering 17 families. Echolocation-oriented night hunters are the only mammals that can fly. Let's take a closer look at these amazing creatures and find out which is the largest bat in the world. Imagine large individuals in each of the suborders.
The bats
Mice and Birds had one common ancestor, and then during evolution, their paths diverged. Mice with wings are smaller than winged ones, but there are quite large species among them.
1
Giant Evening Party / Nyctalus lasiopterus
The largest variety found in the vastness of Russia and European countries. The length of the body varies from 8.5 to 10.4 cm. The weight does not exceed 75 g. The span of the narrow pointed wings reaches 46 cm.
They prefer to settle in broad-leaved forests, and fly hunting only at night. They begin the hunt high in the sky, and then descend to the surface of the earth. In the diet, beetles, nocturnal butterflies. May attack small birds of the passerine order.
Due to the secretive lifestyle, determining the exact size of the population is quite difficult. Zoologists note that the species is on the verge of extinction, and therefore is listed in the Red Book.
2
Great Hare / Noctilio leporinus
The second name of the large species is the Piscivorous bat, and it feeds on fish. Adults grow to 13.2 cm and weigh from 62 to 78 grams.
Usually, like everyone, they hunt insects, but do not mind eating small fish, especially in dry periods of the year. You can meet them in Central and South America. One of the most ancient species, since the fossil remains of the rabbit moths were found in the Pleistocene sediments.
Dwellings are chosen near water bodies, and hunt at night, in groups of 5-15 individuals. Sexual determinism is pronounced. Males are slightly smaller than females and their fur is colored bright red. Females are not so catchy, they have a grayish-brown color of hair.
3
Great Horseshoe Rhinolophus ferrumequinum
The largest of the family of horseshoe mice that live in Europe. The body length is from 5.2 to 7.1 cm, and the wingspan reaches 40 cm. The weight of the animals ranges from 13 to 34 grams.
They populated the entire territory of Europe from Spain up to the foothills of the Himalayas. Large populations are found in North Africa, the Japanese islands, and the Korean peninsula. In summer, they are kept alone, and after the appearance of offspring they form small colonies.
They fly out to hunt after dark, and small insects serve as food. Winter is spent in caves and abandoned adits, where the temperature does not drop below + 1 ° C. In Russia, the Great Horseshoe is listed in the Red Book.
4
White-winged Vampire / Diaemus youngi
The inhabitant of the forests of South and Central America reaches a body size of up to 11 cm in length, and a wingspan of up to 40 cm. A white-winged vampire weighs 40 g.
The body is covered with a silky soft fur of brown with a red tint. The eyes are large and shine in the dark. This species does not have a tail, but rather large ears on its head. They prefer to stay in small groups of up to 30 individuals.
It hunts in the dark, drinking blood from small species of birds. Sometimes they live close to a person’s home, and then they can drink the blood of small pets, such as goats, sheep, poultry. During the day, relax in caves or hollows of large trees.
5
Pale Platypus / Antrozous pallidus
A large mammal from the family of smooth-nosed bats grows up to 13.5 cm, and they live from the forests of Mexico to the southern Canadian provinces. Their wingspan reaches 38 cm.
They live in mountainous areas near water bodies, but they can also hunt on open plains. During the day they hide in caves, crevices of rocks, as well as a dense crown of trees. They fly out to hunt exactly one hour after sunset. The photo shows that their color is almost cream, but the stomach is usually yellow.
In addition to echolocation, the species has well-developed vision and hearing, which helps them in hunting. Insects are not caught on the fly, but are grabbed from the surface of the earth or the leaves of trees.
6
Australian False Vampire / Macroderma gigas
A huge bat, as seen by its species name, lives on the expanses of the Green Continent, settling in the northern part of Australia.
Adult individuals reach a size of 10 to 14 cm, and a wingspan of 60 cm, the weight of an Australian resident from 130 to 170 grams, but individuals with a weight of 216 grams were found. The hair on the back is white, the tips of the hairs are brown, which creates an ashen color of the animal.
The white bat preys excellently on large invertebrates, eats lizards and snakes with pleasure, and can hunt other bats. It is very sensitive to changes in environmental conditions, and therefore the largest colonies are located in nature-protected green areas.
By the way, about the most dangerous animals in Australia on our site thebiggest.ru there is an interesting article.
7
Big Leaf / Vampyrum spectrum
In South America and the central part of the New World, a bats from a family of leafy nests live. On the American continent, this is the largest species of all bats.
They grow up to 14 cm, and the wingspan reaches from 60 to 91 cm. On the head are large rounded ears, as well as a pointed nose. They live in forests or marshes, hunting birds, amphibians and reptiles. Powerful jaws with sharp teeth help cope with prey. Own, coati, wild cats from the Leopard family are natural enemies.
Large leafy plants form pairs that live together all their lives. Usually, one cub is born in a year, and the female tenderly cares for him until he is strong, and can not hunt on his own.
8
Bulldog Bat / Eumops perotis
Continues our list on thebiggest.ru the largest species that lives in the vastness of the United States. Colonies are found in Mexico and the tropical forests of Latin America. They grow to a length of 19 cm, and the wingspan in flight reaches 56 cm.
The sensory organ responsible for echolocation is well developed. The squeak of this mouse is heard at a distance of up to 300 m. It feeds on insects, mainly night moths. During the day, up to 100 individuals get together in large groups, relaxing in secluded dark places.
The black bat, unlike other North American inhabitants, does not hibernate, and does not migrate, living in one place.
Winged
Another family of bats with less developed echolocation, but significantly exceeding the size of their closest relatives of bats. So the winged animals are the largest of the bats.
1
Giant flying fox / Pteropus vampyrus
An amazing creature that lives in Southeast Asia and the islands of Oceania, is also called Kalong. This is the largest representative of the family of bats, as adults reach sizes of 40 cm.
Such giants weigh from 600 gr. up to 1 kg, and in flight the wings spread out for 1.5 m. They always fly in small groups, eating fruit of fruit trees, thereby harming agricultural plantations. They live high in the mountains, hiding in dense foliage.
It plays an important role in the distribution of seeds on the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Locals are happy to eat kalong meat. They also have natural enemies. They are hunted by snakes and large birds of prey.
By the way, pay attention to our site thebiggest.ru there is an informative article about the most dangerous snakes in the world.
2
Maned Acerodon / Acerodon jubatus
Tailless bats can grow up to 29 cm in length, and weighs from 700 g., Up to 1.2 kg. The muzzle is elongated and a bit like a dog, which is why they are often called flying dogs.
Lives in the Philippines, except for the island of Palawan. Settles at an altitude of 1,100 m above sea level in tropical rainforests and mangroves. Like most winged ones, it leads a nocturnal lifestyle, and during the day it hangs upside down in the foliage of tropical trees. The diet contains fruits of tropical plants, and figs are very fond of.
The coat on the body is dark in color, but the head and shoulders are light orange, sometimes completely yellow in color. Powerful wings allow you to travel long distances, including over the sea surface.
3
Lesser Flying Fox / Pteropus hypomelanus
Despite its species name, the small fox grows up to 24 cm, and weighs almost half a kilogram. The head and back are covered with black hair, but the abdomen is usually white or cream.
The habitat is the coast of Australia, the islands of the Pacific and Indian oceans, the countries of Southeast Asia. Large colonies live up to 70 individuals in each. One of the champions in flight altitude. They live up to 9 years.
Prefer not to fly away from a permanent habitat. They feed on the fruits of tropical trees, green leaves, drink nectar. After birth, the cub hangs on his mother for another month, and then begins to fly independently.
4
Spectacled Flying Fox / Pteropus conspicillatus
Our review is completed by another chanterelle with wings growing up to 24 cm. It is easy to recognize them by the characteristic bright circles around the eyes, which is why the bats also received its specific name.
They are active at night, and during the day they hang upside down on the branches of evergreen tropical trees. As soon as dusk sets in, animals unite in groups of up to one thousand individuals and fly out in search of food. Eat flowers and fruits of myrtle and mulberry plants.
Live from 12 to 15 years. The abnormal heat in Australia in November-December 2018 led to the death of a significant part of spectacle foxes, but scientists assured that the population was not threatened with extinction.
Conclusion
Despite its frightening appearance, bats are excellent helpers to humans in their fight against pests of agricultural crops. American farmers estimate that these animals save them up to $ 4 billion annually. All species differ in size, diet, body structure and color, but all of them are united by a nocturnal lifestyle, as well as the ability to fly and use echolocation.
Author: Olesya Shcherbakova