Top 3 Traits of a Microbat

Posted on February 17, 2020 by virginia

Bats are mammals that are a part of the Chiroptera order. The word “Chiroptera” is derived from the Greek word “hand-wing” in reference to a bat’s webbed hand-like wings. Chiroptera is the scientific classification of bats. There are thousands of bat species all over the world, but all species can fall under one of two main categories, Microchiroptera and Megachiroptera; colloquially referred to as microbats and megabats. Although recent evidence more so supports the division of bat species into Yinpterochiroptera and Yangochiroptera, it is still very common to use the terms microbat and megabat.

But since we don’t see any megabats in Virginia, continue reading to learn the top 3 traits of a microbat!

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Virginian Bat Species

Here in Virginia, we have microbat populations. Three species of bat in Virginia are Federally-endangered, and include the Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens), Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalist), and the Virginia Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus). In addition, there are 12 non-game protected species of bat found in Virginia, including the Eastern Small-footed Bat, Northern Long-eared Bat, Eastern Pipistrelle Bat, Silver-haired Bat, Eastern Red Bat, Hoary Bat, Seminole Bat, American Long-Eared Bat, Lump-Nosed Bat, Ozark Big-Eared Bat, Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat, and the Northern Myotis.

Although there are 15 species of microbat in our state, each species exhibits common microbat traits. The top three traits are ones that all microbat share, regardless of species: small, omnivorous, and echolocating.

? Small

Microbats are not called micro because they are big! Microbats are small in stature and size, which is why they are so good at finding places to roost. The average microbat can fit through an opening or crack as small as 3/8^th of an inch. That is equivalent to the thickness of a pencil eraser! Take the Virginia Big-Eared Bat for example; although it is one of the largest Microchiroptera species in its range, it still only weighs an average of 7 to 12 grams (0.25 to 0.42 ounces).

? Insectivorous

Microbats are insectivores, which means they strictly eat bugs. They mostly dine on flying ones, like mosquitoes, flies, gnats, moths, wasps, and bees. They also will consume termites, dragonflies, grasshoppers, and beetles. A single bat can consume more than its own body weight in insects, in just one single evening. That’s an average of 1,000 insects or more.

? Echolocating

Microbats use echolocation, much like dolphins and whales. Echolocation is a natural biological sonar ability that works by measuring the returning echoes of emitted signals that bounce off surrounding objects. Bats are not blind, but they use echolocation because it gives them a superior advantage when it comes to hunting and diving for prey at night.

Got Nuisance Bat Problems in Virginia?

Contact Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control at a fair price. Regardless of the size or scope of your bat abatement and cleanup needs, we have the experience and resources necessary to remedy your bat problem in no time at all. Our professionals are focused on safe and effective results, but more importantly, our client’s complete satisfaction. Contact us anytime for free estimates, advice, and assistance.

The Two Main Types of Bats in Nature

Posted on July 9, 2019 by virginia

Bats are incredible mammals. That’s right; bats are not rodents like many incorrectly assume. Bats are a mammalian species that provide several ecological and economical contributions that we as a society rely on for many things. As such an incredible species, it is good to learn more about bats so that you can spread the word on their importance. Furthermore, you can learn how to support local bat colonies in your area without jeopardizing the safety and structural integrity of your property. However, the best place to start when you want to enhance your knowledge and understanding of bats is with the basics.

Continue reading to learn about the two main types of bats in the world, and which one is the type that lives in your neck of the woods.

Virginia Bat Removal Control Service — Flying Fox – Fruit Bat (Pteropus vampyrus)

Chiroptera Order

Bats are flying mammals that belong to the order Chiroptera, which comes from the Greek words cheir for “hand”, and pteron for “wing.” This names was inspired by bat’s hand-like wings that are shaped from four elongated “fingers” covered by skin (cutaneous) membrane. Bats are actually the second largest order of mammals in the world, as they make up nearly 20% of all classified mammal species, and contain over 1,200 species. This mammalian order is further broken down into two sub-orders, Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera.

Megabats

The term megabats is a colloquial moniker for Megachiroptera, which is one of the two sub-orders of bats. However, the term Megachiroptera is outdated as a result of recent scientific evidence. So now, this suborder of bats is referred to as Yinpterochiroptera.

Megabats are large, but range in size depending on the family, genus, and species of bat. For instance, the largest family of bats are known as Flying Foxes, and can weigh as much as 4 pounds and have a wingspan up to 5 or 6 feet!

Other megabats are known as Old-World Fruit Bats, or just Fruit Bats. That is because megabats are frugivorous, so they consume the nectar and pollen from flowering fruits. They also live in tropical and subtropical regions, so you are not likely to see a megabat in the Old Dominion.

Microbats

The term microbats is a colloquial moniker for Microchiroptera, which is one of the two sub-orders of bats. However, the term Microchiroptera is outdated as a result of recent scientific evidence. So now, this suborder of bats is referred to as Yangochiroptera.

Microbats are smaller than megabats, ranging in size depending on the same factors mentioned before. Some are so small, they can squeeze through an opening as tiny as 3/8^th of an inch! For this reason, they are common nuisances for home and building owners in Virginia.

Microbats do not eat the same diet as megabats either. Instead, they are insectivorous, which means they consume insects like flies, gnats, moths, and mosquitoes. A single bat can consume more than 1,000 insects in a single night! They are excellent pest control.

Nuisance Bats in Virginia

Here in Virginia, we have microbats. In fact, read our blog, “Get to Know Our State Bat” for a better understanding of how bats native to our area can behave, as well as, affect our properties. If you suspect you have bats in the attic, or simply wish to control a nuisance bat problem, contact a Virginia Bat Control Company that can deliver safe, non-lethal assistance.

Safe and Affordable Bat Control in Virginia

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control assistance in Old Dominion. We serve all of Virginia with 24 hour bat removal, as well as, numerous residential and commercial bat exclusion services, such as bat cleanup and restorations for bat damages. We even provide insurance work! Contact us at 804-729-9097 to request a free estimate, anytime.

The Differences Between Megabats and Microbats

Posted on January 5, 2018 by virginia

There are two primary suborders that all bats can be categorized in depending on their particular biologics and physiognomies. These suborders are Microchiroptera and Megachiroptera. Continue reading to learn about them both, and the attributes that set them apart.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Megachiroptera – Fruit Bat

Classification of Bats

Bats are part of the Animal Kingdom, and further broken down into narrower classifications, including the Chordata Phylum, Mammalia Class, and of course, the Chiroptera Order. Within the Chirptera Order, bats are categorized into one of two suborders: Microchiroptera and Megachiroptera. Also referred to as microbats and megabats, these suborders are quite different in size, diet, habitat, and more.

Microchiroptera – Microbats

Microchiroptera bats are small, echolocating bats that maintain an insectivorous diet, with the exception of Vampire Bat species, which retain a dietary trait called hemotophagy, and consumes small droplets of blood on livestock like cows, horses, sheep, and goats. Other than Vampire Bats, microbats primarily eat a wide variety of insects, including moths, flies, mosquitos, grasshoppers, dragonflies, crickets, beetles, termites, ants, and more. It is rare, but some larger species of microbat hunt birds, lizards, frogs, smaller bats, or even fish. They generally roost in trees, caves, abandoned mines, and buildings in forested or wooded areas that are near bodies of water. Microbats make up the nuisance bat populations in our area of the country, with 9 species of bat native to Virginia.

Microchiroptera Bat

In appearance, microbats are much smaller than megabats. They have much smaller bodies and smaller eyes, but they are not blind. They can see quite well, and use their echolocating abilities to better dive and dart for prey. Microbats also lack the claw at the second finger of the forelimb. As for ears, microbats have larger ears that retain a tragus, which is thought to aid in echolocation. Megabats have small ears and no tragus, but large visual cortexes that allow them to see well.

Megachiroptera – Megabats

Megachiroptera bats only includes one family, Pteropodidae, but can be further narrowed into 7 Subfamilies, including Nyctimeninae, Cynopterinae, Harpiyonycterinae, Macroglossinae, Pteropodinae, Rousettinae, and Epomophorinae, and 166 different species. Also known as megabats, old world fruit bats, and simply, fruit bats, Megachiroptera is a significantly different suborder of bats compared to Microchiroptera. They are much larger in size, and live in tropical and subtropical climates. The most significant difference is that they do not possess echolocation abilities, nor do they eat insects.

Instead, megabats have large eyes and have great vision. Furthermore, they maintain nectarivores and frugivorous diets that primarily consist of plant material, such as fruit, nectar, or pollen. Megabats make their homes in trees, shrubs, and sometimes caves located near edges of water. They play an integral role in the surrounding ecosystem because they help to spread seeds and pollen through feeding and elimination.

Virginia Bat Removal and Control

Virginia Bat Removal and Control 804-729-9097

Call Virginia Bat Pros at 804-729-9097 for safe and humane bat removal and control assistance in Old Dominion. We serve all of Virginia, including Richmond, Petersburg, Short Pump, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and all of their surrounding areas. We offer 24 hour bat removal, as well as, numerous residential and commercial bat exclusion services, such as bat cleanup and restorations for bat damages. We even provide insurance work! Contact us today for a free estimate.