Bats
Flying mammals
Large-eared pied bat Chalinolobus dwyeri ©Ian Gynther
Bats are the only group of mammals that are capable of powered flight. The scientific name for the group (Order) to which bats belong is Chiroptera that means 'winged hands', and gives an indication of the specialised adaptations that allow them to fly. Their 'winged hands', are greatly extended bones in their fore-limbs (our hand and arm bones) that are joined with a leathery membrane to form wings.
Bats wings have evolved to be very efficient in flight. As their wings are thinner than birds' wings, they are more maneuverable in flight. The membrane, which makes up the wing, is made of skin that is very soft, strong, flexible and able to repair itself if punctured. The thumbs of bats are left free from the wing, and they used it to groom themselves and cling to roosts.
There are two types of bats - micro bats and the mega bats (also known as flying foxes) – which are thought to have evolved separately and are regarded as two distinct groups. The micro bats are small to medium-sized bats (weighing from 3 g to 150 g with wingspans around 25 cm), which mostly eat insects. The mega bats are typically larger (weighing up to a kilogram with wingspans up to over a metre) and mostly eat fruit.
Safety issues
Catching diseases from bats is extremely unlikely. However, it is important to avoid handling bats as Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABL) can be caught from some species, but only from untreated bites or scratches from infected bats. At least three species of insectivorous micro bat can carry ABL, and all four common species of flying foxes can carry it.
Members of the public should not handle bats.
If you find a sick, injured or orphaned bat, do not touch it. Contact your local wildlife care organisation or the RSPCA Qld. They will put you in contact with a licensed and fully vaccinated wildlife rescuer who is trained to handle and care for wildlife.
If it relates to a C3 bat (a bat that has bitten or scratched a person, or the person has had exposure to the bat’s saliva or neural tissue through their mucous membranes, e.g. eye, skin), contact the department.
Last updated 31 August 2011