Few people know, but in Europe for many years now, on the night of September 20-21, an international bat night has been celebrated. This holiday came to Russia in 2003. These amazing creatures are mostly nocturnal, therefore it is quite difficult to make out. Therefore, we will present a photo with a description of these cute bats, and choose what the most beautiful bat among all their diversity in the natural world.
1
Californian leaf beetle / Macrotus californicus
As the name implies, this representative lives in a large detachment of leafy plants in the southwestern United States and in Mexico.
Adult individuals do not grow more than 6 cm, but weigh from 15 to 20 grams. But the wingspan is quite impressive, and reaches 30 cm. They like dry warm deserts, in which they masterfully hunt insects.
For hibernation, abandoned mines or residential buildings are chosen, but most of all they live in large colonies in caves.
2
White Leaf / Ectophylla alba
From its many relatives, the inhabitant of Central and South America, is distinguished by a beautiful white body color, as well as a yellow nose and ears.
These beauties live in tropical rainforests, choosing caves high above sea level. Only 7 g weigh, and grow from 3.7 to 4.5 cm. At the same time, males are slightly larger than females.
In the diet, a small bat prefers fruits, and white leafy beetle lives alone or in small groups of up to 6 individuals.
3
Indian flying fox / pteropus giganteus
In one of the largest species of flying mice, the head resembles the head of a dog, which is why the species is also called flying dogs.
The view is really large, because the wingspan reaches 130 cm, and the flying fox weighs from 900 to 1300 gr. And the range is limited to the Hindustan Peninsula.
They lead a nocturnal lifestyle, therefore they see great in the dark, and echolocation is used only in extreme cases.
4
Brown Ear / Plecotus auritus
The second name is Ushan ordinary, and is named after its peculiar long ears, which have characteristic folds in the lower part of the shells.
It is found on almost the entire continent of Eurasia, from Portugal to Kamchatka, in Central China and the Middle East. The day is spent in shelters, climbing into natural crevices, hollow trees or in the attics of houses.
In almost the entire range of the habitat, the species is included in the category of rare, protected mammals.
5
Large fructivorous leaf beetle / Artibeus lituratus
A small resident of Central and South America does not grow more than 101 mm in length, while the ears grow from 22 to 25 mm.
Their coat is short and smooth, usually dark brown, but the abdomen is light gray. They prefer to stick in groups of up to 20 individuals, and with pleasure eat the fruits of various plants.
According to zoologists, this species is not threatened with extinction, but measures are still being taken to protect and maintain the proper population.
6
Red Tailed / Lasiurus borealis
These amazing creatures live in North America, and by eating large numbers of insects, they help farmers keep their crops.
This species is easily identified by the characteristic red color of its fur. They grow up small, and, like everyone else, lead a nocturnal lifestyle. Daytime is spent in dark nooks, hiding in caves or abandoned buildings.
Interestingly, in females twins and even fours can be born - double pairs of twins. In the first period, the female carries the cubs on the body, thereby giving them her warmth for life and development.
7
Spotted Ears / Euderma maculatum
Very tiny bats with large ears in relation to the body lives in North America, and in the USA they are protected by the state.
The body length of the spotted ear-flaps is 12 cm, and the tail grows to 5 cm among other mice; long pink ears and three white spots on the gray-brown back stand out from them.
Females bring one cub, and, like in many other species, the bat cub cannot fly for the first month, and is under the supervision of the mother.
8
Little Bat (Pipistrellus pygmaeus)
In a large genus of bats, this is its smallest representative, not growing more than 45 mm. But his wings are from 18 to 21 cm.
Widely distributed throughout Europe, and settles near rivers and small streams. This is due to the fact that water gnats and land insects predominate in its diet.
The places of rest are buildings, less often the hollow of trees. They fly out to hunt in the twilight time, and spend time in shelters during the day.
9
White-bellied Arrow / Otonycteris hemprichii
A small mammal from the order of bats was named after the German zoologist, and therefore in some reference books you can find the name Strelukh Gempriha.
The range of this wonderful creature is limited to Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula; you can also find it in the desert regions of Morocco. Their abdomen is light, but their backs are covered with fur of a dark brown or sand color.
It settles in crevices of rocks, as well as in residential buildings, and is active at night, hunting for insects.
10
Mediterranean horseshoe / Rhinolophus blasii Peters
Lives in Europe, North Africa, found in the mountainous regions of Transcaucasia, in Asia Minor and Western Asia. In the USSR, and now in Russia, is listed in the Red Book.
Body length 46 - 54 mm, and the forearm reaches a length of 49 mm. They spend the day in mountain caves, choose the wettest places, and fly out at night to hunt, catch insects until dawn.
Read about fascinating and beautiful caves on favorite bats habitat on most-beauty.ru.
They prefer to stay in groups of 12-20 individuals, but they feel great and alone. The front part of the muzzle has an unusual outgrowth in the form of a horseshoe or saddle. By this sign, several types of horseshoe-bones are distinguished.
11
Spectacled Flying Fox / Pteropus conspicillatus
In low-lying and humid tropical forests of Australia, as well as the islands of Oceania, you can come across a spectacled flying fox from the family of winged.
They grow up to 22 mm in length, and their wingspan is 1 m. They are distinguished not only by such huge wings, but also by characteristic circles around the eyes, making them look like monkeys.
These mice eat fruit, drink nectar and eat the flowers of tropical plants. Babies, after birth, live next to their mother for up to 5 months.
12
Yellow-winged False Vampire / Lavia frons
This cute little animal is the only representative of the genus Lavia, and he lives in Central Africa.
With a body size of only 60-80 mm, the wingspan is 35 cm. They settle in dense forests near water bodies and spend the night on tree branches.
This species forms monogamous families, and occupies a certain territory, which is protected by the male. The distance between the resting places of individual couples does not exceed 20 m.
13
Malay Short-Nosed Flying / Cynopterus brachyotis
In South and Southeast Asia, there is a short-nosed winged wing that feeds on mangoes, although it can also eat other tropical fruits.
For the plant world of this region of the planet, it plays an important role in pollination of plants, since nectar and pollen enter the diet of the mouse. Only 21-32 grams weigh, and life expectancy is 20-30 years.
At birth, the child of this unique winged wing can fit on the tip of a human finger.
14
Gambian Epaulette Wing / Epomops franqueti
An African bat with such a resounding name of the species eats figs, and loves to eat mango and guava.
It grows up to 18 cm with a wingspan of up to 60 cm. They have soft brown fur over the body, but the abdomen is white. There are also white epaulettes on the shoulders, and white spots on the ears.
They live in the central part of the African continent, and according to the statement of zoologists, the species is quite stable, which does not threaten a decrease in the population.
15
Gray Tailed / Lasiurus cinereus
One hour after sunset, these mice begin to hunt nocturnal butterflies and other insects, flying quickly between trees at an altitude of 10 meters.
The body length of the inhabitant of North and South America reaches 9 cm, and weight from 14 to 26 grams. The hairtail got its specific name because of the color of its short fur.
In the afternoon they sleep high on the branches, hiding in the dense foliage of trees at an altitude of 3-5 m. Climbing so high, they are saved from natural enemies that can attack them during sleep.
16
Madagascar Wing / Eidolon dupreanum
A handsome inhabitant of Madagascar is found both on the coast, and Thai on the plateaus of the central part of the island.
The wingspan of this winged wing reaches 78 cm, and the body length varies from 14 to 22 cm. It eats fruits, but eats leaves of tropical trees with pleasure.
Like many species, it leads a nocturnal lifestyle, and spends daylight hours in caves, gathering in colonies from 20 to 500 individuals. Interestingly, a similar climate in Africa did not attract this species, and it is found only in Madagascar.
17
Pig Bat / Craseonycteris thonglongyai
The rare and only today species of pigs was discovered relatively recently, only in 1973.
You can meet a small cute creature that does not grow more than 2.4 cm in only one of the provinces of Thailand. In the early 80s, only 160 individuals lived in three caves, today zoologists claim that there are about 500 of them.
Note that this bat is the smallest, and also the smallest mammal that lives on our planet.
Summary
As you can see, among such unusual animals there are cute and, one might say, cute mice, and even became a prototype for creating the animated heroine Furry.
In conclusion, we say that, despite prejudice, bats practically do not pose a danger to humans, calm in nature and not aggressive. But it so happened that dragons, demons, vampires are depicted precisely with the wings of bats, and people try to avoid their habitats.
Some more beautiful photos:
In the photo: bat baby. It's hard to call him cute, isn't it?
Do you think bats are afraid of spiders?
And this handsome man lives exclusively in the southern regions of Florida.
In these pictures you can see the professionalism of the photographer who managed to catch the right moment!
Article author: Valery Skiba