The main distinctions between megabats and microbats

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

Website design By BotEap.commicrobats

Website design By BotEap.comMicrochiroptera, or microbats, are small in size and have large ears. Most range from 3 to 16 inches in length, and many are small enough to fit through as little as 3/8 of an inch. They are echolocating mammals, which means they use a built-in biological sonar system, which emits ultrasonic sounds that bounce off nearby objects and back to the bat. Micros are not blind, but echolocation helps them dart and dive for prey more accurately at night.

Website design By BotEap.comRegarding the diet, the micro 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!

Website design By BotEap.comWhen it comes to habitat, microbats live in moderate climates and typically roost in hollow trees, abandoned mines, caves, and even residential and commercial buildings (especially attics!).

Website design By BotEap.commegabats

Website design By BotEap.comMegachiroptera are much larger in size 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 mainly consist of fruit, 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 minion of bats does not use or retain echolocation abilities. However, they do have a keen sense of smell that helps them locate food sources, as well as adapted teeth that are strong enough to bite through the rinds of fruit.

Website design By BotEap.comAs for the appearance, it is easy to differentiate a mega from a micro. Fruit bats not only have large eyes and visual cortices, but also lack a tail. However, microbats lack the claw on the second forelimb digit that megabats do. Megabats live in warm, tropical, and subtropical regions of the world. You are not likely to see wild fruit bats living in the forests of the Midwestern US. They prefer warm, moist, and humid environments, such as rainforests and coasts, and generally roost in trees, shrubs, and caves.