Thursday, September 22, 2011

Megabats (suborder Megachiroptera)

*see also "Difference Between Suborders of Bats" for very basic information
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn10721-the-bat-with-the-incredibly-long-tongue.html

Megabats use their long tongues to consume nectar.  They unintentionally pollenate other flowers with the pollen that sticks in their fur.  They distribute seeds by eating fruit and spitting the seeds or by their seedy guano.  Megabats roost in the daylight by wrapping their wings around themselves.  They have two claws on each of their forelimbs and do not hibernate.  They are known to be very clean.  They are constantly grooming themselves and are careful during urination and defication.  Some live in caves, but most megabats live in the upper canopy of tall trees in freshwater swamps, mangroves, and rainforests.  Some species form complex social systems and can utilize over 20 different calls.
http://www.wettropics.gov.au/st/rainforest_explorer/Resources/Documents/factsheets/Megabats.pdf

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