Microbat vs. Flying Fox - What's the Difference?
8. Summary
Microbats and flying foxes are separate families from the order bats.
Both are particularly important for the balance in nature and deserve our protection and respect. Unfortunately, many species are threatened because their habitats are being destroyed - mainly due to agriculture. Specifically, it's the use of monocultures, where fields are only planted with one type of crop, that's causing the most harm. Insects are becoming increasingly scarce for them, and on top of that, environmental toxins like wood preservatives and pesticides pose a significant danger.
Microbats and flying foxes have various distinct traits and skills. To help you easily identify these differences, we’ll provide a brief summary for you.
Microbat
- Species: 1.270
- Body length: 1.1-5.5 inches (29 mm-14 cm)
- Weight: 0.05-7.7 ounces (1.7-220 grams)
- Wingspan: 5-40 inches (13-102 cm)
- Body size: Small
- Eyes: Small
- Ears: Large
- Claw: Some species
- Distribution: Everywhere, except Antarctica
- Diet: Insects, more rarely nectar, fruits, small vertebrates, blood
- Colony Size: Up to 20 million animals
- Sleeping place: Sheltered, in caves
- Speed: Fast
- Most important sense: Sense of hearing
- Hibernation: Some species
- Ecosystem role: Keeps the number of insects in balance
Flying Fox
- Species: 200
- Body length: 2.4-11 inches (61 mm-29 cm)
- Weight: 0.4 ounces to 3.5 pounds (12 grams to 1.6 kg)
- Wingspan: 11-67 inches (28-170 cm)
- Body size: Large
- Eyes: Large
- Ears: Small
- Claw: Yes
- Distribution: Tropical and subtropical regions
- Diet: Fruit, pollen, nectar
- Colony Size: Up to 10.000 animals
- Sleeping place: Exposed, in trees
- Speed: Slow
- Most important sense: Sense of sight
- Hibernation: No
- Ecosystem role: Pollinates flowers, disperses seeds
- Table of Contents
- 0. Introduction
- 1. Number of Species
- 2. Anatomy and Appearance
- 3. Distribution and Habitat
- 4. Life Style
- 5. Diet
- 6. Senses and Abilities
- 7. Importance for the Ecosystem
- 8. Summary
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