The main distinctions between megabats and microbats

Did you know that there are two main species of bats in the world? It’s true! All bats can be classified into one of two categories: Microchiroptera or Megachiroptera. These are known colloquially as “megabats” and “microbats”. Read on to learn about the main differences and distinctions between them, including their appearance, diet, habitat, and more!

Micro bats

Microscopic bats, or micro bats, are small in size and have large ears. Most are 3-16 inches long, and many are small enough to fit through as little as 3/8 of an inch. They are echolocating mammals, which means that they use a built-in biological sonar system, which emits ultrasonic sounds that bounce off nearby objects and return to the bat. The microphones are not blind, but echolocation helps them launch and dive for prey more precisely at night.

Regarding the diet, the micros eat mainly insects; but some larger species eat small fish, rodents, birds, and amphibians. Three species in particular consume the blood of other animals, mainly cattle and birds. These include common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus), hairy-legged vampire bats (Diphylla ecaudata), and white-winged vampire bats. But do not worry; They don’t drink human blood!

When it comes to habitat, micro bats live in moderate climates and typically roost in hollow trees, abandoned mines, caves, and even residential and commercial buildings (especially attics!).

Mega bats

Megachiropterans are much larger and are also known as “flying foxes”, “fruit bats” and “Old World fruit bats”. This is mainly due to their frugivorous and nectarivorous diets, which consist mainly of fruits, nectar, and pollen. Some species are known to eat some insects, but their diet consists mainly of nectar and pollen from fruits and flowers. Because of this, this suborder of bats does not use or retain echolocation abilities. However, they have a keen sense of smell that helps them locate food sources, as well as adapted teeth that are strong enough to bite down on fruit peels.

In terms of appearance, it is easy to differentiate a mega from a mike. Fruit bats not only have large eyes and visual cortex, but they also lack a tail. However, micro bats lack the claw on the second toe of the forelimb that mega bats have. Megabats live in warm, tropical and subtropical regions of the world. You are unlikely to see wild fruit bats living in the forests of the midwestern US They prefer warm, humid, and humid environments, such as rainforests and coasts, and generally roost in trees, bushes, and caves.