microbats
Small insect-eating fliers
Microbats are the smaller of the two main bat groups, distinguished from megabats (fruit bats and flying foxes) by their size and their use of echolocation to navigate and hunt.
Most bat species are microbats, ranging from the tiny bumblebee bat to species with wingspans of several feet.
They eat primarily insects, though some species consume fish, frogs, or blood.
Microbats devoured the mosquitoes swarming near the pond.
Limbs for flight
- membraneThin tissue sheet
- wingspanTip-to-tip extent
- furryCovered in soft hair
- whiskeredHaving facial bristles
tragus · thumbs · claws · lightweight · skeletal · ears · snout · teeth
Underwater detection by echoes
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
- biosonarSound-based animal navigation
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- pulsesRhythmic throbs or edible legumes
acoustic · navigation · doppler · echogram · auditory · pinnae · orientation · clicks
Natural underground chambers
- roostBird's sleeping spot
- colonyDependent territorial settlement
- hibernationProlonged winter dormancy
- torporInactive, sluggish state
crevices · hollows · attics · bridges · mines · clustering · hanging · upside-down
wings
Limbs for flight
whiskered · tragus · thumbs · claws · lightweight · skeletal · ears · snout · teeth
sonar
Underwater detection by echoes
- ultrasoundInaudible high-frequency waves
- biosonarSound-based animal navigation
- frequencyRate of recurrence
pulses · acoustic · navigation · doppler · echogram · auditory · pinnae · orientation · clicks · high-frequency
caves
Natural underground chambers
- roostBird's sleeping spot
- colonyDependent territorial settlement
- hibernationProlonged winter dormancy
torpor · crevices · hollows · attics · bridges · mines · clustering · hanging · upside-down · shelter
nighttime
Dark hours between dusk and dawn
crepuscular · moonlight · nightfall · evening · dawn · shadowy · starlight · night-sky · dimness · midnight
mosquitoes
Blood-drinking flying insects
flies · gnats · midges · larvae · aphids · pest-control · foraging · hawking · gleaning · arthropods