BAT (VERTEBRATES
ZOOLOGY)
• MUHAMMAD MUNEER (S24-0002)
INTRODUCTION:
Bats are extraordinary creatures, holding the
unique distinction of being the only mammals
capable of true flight. These nocturnal animals
thrive in diverse habitats, from caves and trees to
manmade structures, and impressive lifespans
ranging from 10 to 25 years—sometimes
surviving up to 33 years. Their bodies maintain a
steady temperature of 37°C like humans, and they
rely on exceptional senses of smell and hearing to
navigate the world. While smaller bat species
depend heavily on echolocation to orient
themselves, larger bats, possess vision sharper
than humans
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Bumblebee Bat Giant Golden-Crowned
Flying Fox
(Smallest Bat) (Largest Bat)
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Taxonomy Of Bat:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammlia
Order: Chiroptera
Suborder 1: Megachiroptera
Suborder 2: Microchiroptera
Family: Pteropodidae
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Anatomy:
Bats are unique mammals that can truly fly
Wings are made of stretchy skin between 4 super-
long finger bones.
The skin stretches from the arms to the legs and
tail.
Large chest and shoulder muscles to flap wings
powerfully.
Thin hips/legs (since they don’t walk much).
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Human Hand And Bat:
Human hands and bat hands both share a basic skeletal structure
with five digits, including a thumb, but their functions and
adaptations differ significantly. Human hands have shorter fingers
with an opposable thumb, allowing for grasping and fine motor tasks
like writing and using tools. The skin is designed for tactile sensation
and protection, supporting a wide range of manipulations.
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In contrast, bat hands are adapted for flight.
Their fingers are elongated and thin, with
skin membranes stretched between them to
form wings. The thumb in bats is shorter and
less functional for grasping, primarily used
for holding onto surfaces or roosting. Instead
of tactile functions, the skin between the
fingers forms a flexible, thin membrane that
aids in flight.
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Fig:Human And Bat Thumb( Gripping and
Roosting) 9
Feeding:
• Megachiropterans are fruit eaters.
• Microbtas mainly relay on insects,blood ,small
mammals and fish.
• Vampire Bats are Sanguivores that they are only
mammals that feed exclusively on blood (rarely
human blood).They don’t suck blood but use heat
sensors to locate veins, make a small cut with sharp
teeth, then lap up oozing blood.
(Vampire bats use heat sensors in their noses to
detect the warmth of blood vessels near the surface of
their prey's skin. These sensors, located in the bat's
noseleaf, allow it to locate a blood source by sensing
infrared radiation, helping the bat feed efficiently in
the dark.)
10 0 Kelvin emit infrared radiation)
(Any body above the absolute zero
Fig: Bat eating fruit and Blood
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Reproduction:
• These are Promiscuous (both males and females mate with
multiple partners).
• Gestation periods is Long (60 days to 8 months, depending on
species).
• Female hangs upside down and puhses her pup outside the womb
toward feet and then catching the pup in their wings to prevent it
from falling.
• Newborn bats are called pups.
• Pups may nurse from other mothers if their own mother cannot
produce milk ("alloparenting").
• Mothers gather in large groups to raise pups together.
• Pups become independent at 6–8 weeks.
• The mating process usually takes place at night with the male bat
awakening the female by bitting on her neck and then initiating
the copulation.
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Fig:Female bat hanging
upisde down
Fig: Mother Bat carrying
pup
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