The bat in nature: what these mysterious animals eat

In the modern world, attitudes towards bats changed a bit. Now it is known that they do not turn into monsters that drink human blood.

However, many people still fear and dislike these small animals. To dispel doubts about this kind of bats, you need to consider what bats feed on.

Bat feeding

Before addressing this topic in detail, it is important to note that different types of mice eat a variety of foods.

The predominant number of these animals is insectivorousMany many prefer small animals.

A very small amount is fish-eating, there are also only three species that drink blood and a few vegetarian species who prefer fruit and pollen.

Despite such different preferences, all bats (except vegetarians) hunt the same way.

When a predator flies, it always produces an ultrasound by mouth or nose (depending on the genus).

When the mouse catches the "echo" reflected from its victim, it for a moment pauses and grabs future food.

Insectivorous

Mice that feed on insects do not eat everything in a row.

Each animal has its own taste preferences. Some like bugs and blackflies, some moths with moths, while others are happy to eat small spiders or enjoy tree larvae.

Mice can hunt for such small prey both in a few individuals and individually.

Mice catch bugs only in the air. Thanks to ultrasound, they calculate the location of the insect and seize it.

Some species prefer to immediately swallow the prey in the air, others grab its wings, as if it is a net or blades.

Others use their tail membrane. They fold in the form of a net and catch an insect.

But there are very few such bats. Usually, food is hunted and consumed at the same time, but sometimes mice arrange a "dinner party" for a family or even a colony.

Carnivores

Bats that prefer the flesh look very different from the herbivorous companions. These animals have enough sharp teeth and big sizes torso.

They prefer small animals as food: lizards, frogs, mice (not volatile) and some small birds. For example, scum.

Reference: Somehow flying animals manage to establish which frogs can be venomous and which cannot. There was not a single case when predators made a wrong choice.

Despite this diet, carnivores mice often feed on insects. They are not averse to taste beetles or butterflies. The method of hunting for their prey is the same as that of the insectivorous.

The difference is that such a sacrifice cannot be eaten in the air; therefore, the bats rush at it, press it with a little body and wings, which form a semblance of a net, and then they kill prey.

A photo

Look at the photo: what do bats eat?

Fish eating

Important: In the world there are only two types of bats, which eat fish. This is a big and small hawksub.

These mammals live in Central and South America. They feed on insects, frogs with lizards, but also fish. What distinguishes them from carnivores. Scientists have proved that hawks will not physically detect fish underwater, but react to its slightest hesitation.

Fish lovers hunt in the following way: at nightfall, they fly to the pond and slowly begin to circle above it, at the slightest agitation of the water, the mice rush down. At the same time their hind limbs touch the water, the rest of the body remains strictly above it.

It is believed that in addition to zaytseububov fish can also enjoy the bedding and an Indian false vampire. However, nobody knows the reasons for this change of tastes.

Vegetarians

The nature is so amazing that it created bats that prefer fruit and nectar. But there are very few such mice. Basically, this kind of food is preferred by the wings.

Important: Krylanovye also belong to the order of the bats, but they should not be confused with bats, because they have very significant differences in the aircraft. Almost all the wings are larger than their relatives, and their food consists only of plant-eating food.

Among mice fruits with nuts are preferred by few, for example, leaf-bearing. They feed on insects, fruit pulp, flower nectar and nuts. Many favor pollination.

However, unlike the Krylan, leaf-bearing bears are not averse to eating a lizard, and some species are omnivorous. The muzzles of fruit-eaters and nectar lovers are elongated, the teeth are completely undeveloped, and the languages ​​are much longer than those of their relatives.

Vampires

In the world there are very few bats that consume blood - only three species. Common, mossy and white-winged vampires.

Important: These bloodsucking do not drink the blood of people. The maximum that they can do is bite a person in self-defense.

The whole structure of the body of these bats is adapted to their diet.

They have a shortened nose with infrared receptors, very large incisors and grooves in the lower jaw through which blood flows.

Important: Vampires are the only bats that can move on the ground. Having found the victim using ultrasound, the bloodsucker approaches it on the ground, calculates with receptors the best place for the bite and attacks.

These animal do not suck blood, and lap it. Vampire saliva contains a special enzyme, because of it the blood of the victim does not clot. Bats can not drink large amounts of blood, so this factor should not scare. But they are carriers of dangerous diseases that can be transmitted to livestock, which they love very much, or to humans.

Bats are one of the most amazing creatures on the planet. They are the only mammals capable of flying, each species has a special social relationship and all the mice are very caring for children and members of the colony.

Watch the video: 5 Mysterious Creatures Caught on Camera (May 2024).