Geographical distribution : Found in South Eastern Asia , especially in India. Pliocene to Recent.
Habit and habitat : Adapted for arboreal and aerial mode of life. Live in groups and feed on fruits (frugivorous) and often damage orchards. They sleep by day on tree Branches.
Comments:
1. Commonly called Fruit bat or Flying fox and in Hindi Chamgadar.
2. Body is dark-brown coloured and the shoulders are golden yellow. Body divisible into head, neck, trunk, tail and patagium.
3. It is capable of true flight. The forelimbs are modified into wings.
4. Each wing formed by a fold of skin or patagium supported by elongated forelimb and 2nd to 5th fingers. Only 1st and 2nd fingers bear claws.
5. Hind limbs and tail are also included in patagium. Before patagium is prepatagium. Hind feet are small with sharp and curved claws. Tail small and stumpy.
6. Head small having external ears, large eyes, snout and small teeth.
7. During sleep, the head hangs downwards with wings folded clock-like around the body.
Special features : Bats are important due to five reasons : They have phylogenetic significance with insectivores, They are the only flying mammals, They are used for experimental purposes, Faeces of bats are used as fertilizer, Bats have highly developed Sonar or Echo Apparatus, a kind of radar. While flying they constantly send out ultrasonic sound waves consisting of periodic clicks, which strike on objects or wire and are reflected back to bat. Rate of click increases 50-150 seconds as the object is approached. Ultrasonic sounds are produced from the vocal cords.
Source:
1. Practical Zoology Vertebrates by S.S.Lal. 2. A Manual of Practical Zoology Chordates by Dr. P.S. Verma.
