An occasional blog about natural history, travel, books and writing ... and anything else that catches my attention.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Going batty at Hastie's Swamp
Birdwatchers aren't the only ones using the hide at Hastie's Swamp. Microbats pop in from time to time. This little cutie was tucked away in the corner when I visited the site this morning. The bat interrupted its snooze for a quick groom, then went back to sleep.
Microbats (Microchiroptera) are defined by a number of characteristics, but, oddly, size isn't one of them!
They're the echolocating bats, which are generally --- but not always --- smaller than the fruit bats (aka the megabats or Megachiroptera).
Not all microbats are small. The Ghost or False Vampire Bat of trop Aust has a wingspan of about 50 cm. It eats birds, other bats, unwary speleologists etc. I'm sure that's not the biggest microbat, but it's certainly not micro.
We've got both types here --- lots of fruit bats and lots of little, insect eating flitterers.
I wasn't expecting to catch up with one of these little fellows so soon. There are plenty in the rainforest but they're too difficult to photograph.
They are rather sweet little things. The Nat Parks people must thing so too because I can't think of any other reason there'd be shade cloth attached to the ceiling of the hide.
Oh poo! Blogger lost my comment. Here we go again ...
Sherryl, I wasn't expecting to encounter one quite so soon. There are plenty in the rainforest but they're not so easy to photograph.
Denis, they are little cuties. (Even though this one had a louse or two on it.) The Nat Park people must also like them because I can't think of another reason for the hide to have shade cloth stapled to its ceiling!
9 comments:
Here's a dumb question: what makes a bat a microbat? Is there a size limit or is it just a figure of speech? :)
Microbats (Microchiroptera) are defined by a number of characteristics, but, oddly, size isn't one of them!
They're the echolocating bats, which are generally --- but not always --- smaller than the fruit bats (aka the megabats or Megachiroptera).
Not all microbats are small. The Ghost or False Vampire Bat of trop Aust has a wingspan of about 50 cm. It eats birds, other bats, unwary speleologists etc. I'm sure that's not the biggest microbat, but it's certainly not micro.
We've got both types here --- lots of fruit bats and lots of little, insect eating flitterers.
Hi Bronwen,
I love the "hands over the eyes" routine, when going to sleep.
Cute as....
Denis
Thank you! I really wanted to see one. They have such unappealing little faces though. Never mind, they're still fascinating.
I wasn't expecting to catch up with one of these little fellows so soon. There are plenty in the rainforest but they're too difficult to photograph.
They are rather sweet little things. The Nat Parks people must thing so too because I can't think of any other reason there'd be shade cloth attached to the ceiling of the hide.
Oh poo! Blogger lost my comment. Here we go again ...
Sherryl, I wasn't expecting to encounter one quite so soon. There are plenty in the rainforest but they're not so easy to photograph.
Denis, they are little cuties. (Even though this one had a louse or two on it.) The Nat Park people must also like them because I can't think of another reason for the hide to have shade cloth stapled to its ceiling!
ALERTA!
La estafa automotriz mas grande en el territorio Mexicano…
Para MAS informacion pinche:
http://expoautos.blogspot.com/
Hasta lueguito y cuidense amigos mios (L)(L)(L)
Great photos - I've never seen one in the wild so clearly. Usually, they are on the move and somewhat distant.
Thanks for the explanation of microbats. Like Dave, I thought the classification was based on size, so I've learned a lot from your explanation.
Great photos - I've never seen one in the wild so clearly. Usually, they are on the move and somewhat distant.
Thanks for the explanation of microbats. Like Dave, I thought the classification was based on size, so I've learned a lot from your explanation.
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