Bats
There are two types of bats – microbats and the megabats (including the flying foxes) – which are thought to have evolved separately and are classified as two distinct groups of animals. The micro-bats are small to medium-sized bats (weighing from 3 g to 150 g with wingspans around 25 cm), and mostly eat insects. The ones pictured above are eastern bent-winged bats, clustered together at a roost to stay warm (Image by Bruce Thomson). The flying-foxes are the largest members of the megabat group (weighing up to a kilogram and with wingspans of up to a metre) and mostly eat fruit.
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) that bats belong to is Chiroptera. This means 'hand wing' and refers to the specialised adaptations that allow them to fly. Their ‘winged hands’ are made up of greatly extended bones in their forelimbs and fingers covered in a membrane of soft skin. The thumbs of bats are clawed and used for climbing and grooming. Bats wings have evolved to be very efficient in flight with many of the microbats being able to hover, catch prey on the wing, and even fly backwards to avoid danger.
Safety issues
Catching diseases from bats is extremely unlikely. However, it is important to avoid handling bats as Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABL) can be transmitted through untreated bites or scratches from infected bats. There have been two fatalities in Australia from ABL but it is treatable by post-exposure vaccine and anyone bitten or scratched by a bat should seek medical attention immediately.
- For more information on ABL go to Queensland Health - Australian Bat Lyssavirus Virus (ABL)
Flying-foxes can transmit the fatal Hendra virus to horses. Infected horses can also transmit Hendra virus to humans and this has unfortunately resulted in a number of fatalities. There is no evidence that humans can catch Hendra virus directly from flying-foxes.
- For more information on Hendra virus go to Biosecurity Queensland – Hendra virus
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( http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/contactus/index.html#1300animal ). 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.