The Mexican free-tailed bat is the fastest flying animal in horizontal flight. source
The Mexican free-tailed bat is the fastest flying animal in horizontal flight.
Bats are the second largest order of mammals (after the rodents), representing about 20% of all classified mammal species worldwide. source
Bats are the second largest order of mammals (after the rodents), representing about 20% of all classified mammal species worldwide.
There are about 1,240 bat species divided into two suborders: the less specialized and largely fruit-eating megabats. source
There are about 1,240 bat species divided into two suborders: the less specialized and largely fruit-eating megabats.
About 70% of bat species are insectivores. Most of the rest are frugivores, or fruit eaters. source
About 70% of bat species are insectivores. Most of the rest are frugivores, or fruit eaters.
Fish-eating bat or fish-eating myotis, is a species of bat that lives around the Gulf of California, and feeds on fish and crustaceans. source
Fish-eating bat or fish-eating myotis, is a species of bat that lives around the Gulf of California, and feeds on fish and crustaceans.
Bats are the only mammals that can fly. source
Bats are the only mammals that can fly.
In many languages, the word for "bat" is cognate with the word for "mouse" source
In many languages, the word for "bat" is cognate with the word for "mouse"
An older English name for bats is flittermouse, which matches their name in other Germanic languages (for example German Fledermaus and Swedish fladdermus), source
An older English name for bats is flittermouse, which matches their name in other Germanic languages (for example German Fledermaus and Swedish fladdermus),
Bats are placental mammals. Bats were formerly thought to have been most closely related to the flying lemurs, treeshrews, and primates. source
Bats are placental mammals. Bats were formerly thought to have been most closely related to the flying lemurs, treeshrews, and primates.
The ears of microbats do not close to form a ring; the edges are separated from each other at the base of the ear. source
The ears of microbats do not close to form a ring; the edges are separated from each other at the base of the ear.
Bats live all over the world, except for some islands, and the Arctic and Antarctica. source
Bats live all over the world, except for some islands, and the Arctic and Antarctica.
The United States is home to an estimated 45 to 48 species of bats. source
The United States is home to an estimated 45 to 48 species of bats.
The eyes of most microbat species are small and poorly developed, leading to poor visual acuity, no species is blind. source
The eyes of most microbat species are small and poorly developed, leading to poor visual acuity, no species is blind.
Bats hunt at night, reducing competition with birds, minimizing contact with certain predators, and travel large distances (up to 800 km) in their search for food. source
Bats hunt at night, reducing competition with birds, minimizing contact with certain predators, and travel large distances (up to 800 km) in their search for food.
Contrary to myth, bats aren't blind. In fact, research shows that depending on the circumstances, bats sometimes prefer using eyesight to sound when hunting. source
Contrary to myth, bats aren't blind. In fact, research shows that depending on the circumstances, bats sometimes prefer using eyesight to sound when hunting.
Mammals range in size from the 30–40 mm (1.2–1.6 in) bumblebee bat to the 30-meter (98 ft) blue whale. source
Mammals range in size from the 30–40 mm (1.2–1.6 in) bumblebee bat to the 30-meter (98 ft) blue whale.
With a сhаngе in thе mоnѕооn winds, Ibn Bаttutа ѕаilеd bасk to Arabia, first to Omаn аnd thе Strаit of Hormuz then on tо Mесса fоr the hajj оf 1330 (or 1332). source
With a сhаngе in thе mоnѕооn winds, Ibn Bаttutа ѕаilеd bасk to Arabia, first to Omаn аnd thе Strаit of Hormuz then on tо Mесса fоr the hajj оf 1330 (or 1332).