Bats — Flying Nocturnal Mammals

Abstract

Bats are unique amongst small mammals because they have developed active flight by means of highly specialised extremities, because almost all species are strictly nocturnal, and because they show quite different food habits and foraging strategies. Their unfavourable mass-to-surface area relationship as well as their energy-consuming flight make high demands on the energy balance. In many species, especially in those of temperate zones, the need to save Energy not only led to the evolution of particular physiological adaptations Such as torpor and hibernation, but also influences the time course of their Various behavioural activities, including flight and foraging. Such constraints Might have caused the Chiroptera to develop diverse and flexible activity Patterns.