Group items tagged

The orientation of the hindlimb is also unique to bats. The hip joint is rotated 90° so that the legs project sideways and the knee faces almost backwards. Due in part to the rotation of the hindlimb, the walking motion of bats differs from other tetrapods, often appearing awkward. The hindlimb is designed to support the patagium in flight and allow the bat to roost hanging from its hindlimbs. Most bats have a tendon system in the toes that locks the claws in place so the bat can hang upside down even when asleep.

The body of a bat is ventrally compressed with a short neck region. The bones tend to be slender and light-weight. The majority of the body weight is concentrated in the chest region due to the large flight muscles.

The overall shape of the head varies more in bats than within most other groups of mammals. Some bats have very elongated muzzles while others have broad, short faces. There is a correlation between the shape of the head and the type of food eaten. For example, most nectar feeders have long, narrow muzzles that are good for reaching into flowers, while many fruit eaters have short, broad faces good for biting rounded fruits (Hill and Smith, 1984).

The ears range from small and round to large and pointed, and often have a cartilaginous fold (tragus) present at the notch of the ear. There is additional variation in the nasal and lip regions of bats. Some bats have complex noseleafs, folds, or wrinkles on their muzzles.

A major misconception about bats is that they are blind. This idea originated from the fact that bats are able to successfully maneuver in the dark and often have small eyes. While some bats do have very small eyes (most Microchiroptera) many have large and complex eyes (Megachiroptera).

Bats usually have black or brown fur, although the fur can also be gray, white, red, or orange. In some species there are stripes on the face or down the back, or patches of white on the face or above the shoulder. The length of the fur also varies among species from short and dense to long and fluffy. The wing membrane is usually dark in color, although it may have white on the tips or be a lighter color around the bones in the membrane. A few bats have white or pale yellow wings. There are also little hairs on the membrane itself. These hairs can be the color of the wing or the same color as the body.

The bat monophyly hypothesis states the Megachiroptera and Microchiroptera are each others closest relatives in an evolutionary sense (i.e., they form a clade).

A bat will eat half its weight in insects in a single night.

Fewer people have died from bat rabies during the past 40 years than have died from dog bites or bee stings in a single year.

Although the bat is not blind, its eyes are best adapted to seeing in the dark, and see in only black-and-white.

The thumbs of the forefoot are small, equipped with sharp claws and not connected to the membrane.

Bats are very shy creatures and like most wild animals, avoid contact with humans while going about their business of eating, reproducing and avoiding predators.

When a bat returns to its roost for its upside-down sleep, it will spend as much as 30 minutes cleaning itself before settling down to sleep.

Some species of bats prefer to live alone in trees.

Nearly all bats that live in the United States feed on insects.

Mating may occur two or even three times a year

Bats have many natural enemies and large numbers of them die while still young.

The most significant causes of premature bat death, however, are the activities of people.

Bat droppings (guano) support entire ecosystems of unique organisms, including bacteria useful in detoxifying wastes, improving detergents and producing gasohol and antibiotics.

Alfa Romeo Bertone BAT 11 Concept heads for limited production

Ronn Motors' $150K Scorpion would do Captain Planet proud

Lightening GT All-electric sports car comes with a pricey tag

Pimped-Put Bentley Gold for Bling-Lovers

Pimp My Ride!

DC Designs' Ambierod - Most expensive designed car ever shown at Auto Expo

Top ten luxury cars gearing to burn the road

Big cars, big bills - Luxury doesn't come cheap

The New Ford Mondeo Deemed Allergy Free

Toyota Launches World's Most Expensive Hybrid for $104,750

2008 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible All-Set to Debut

The Mercedes luxury cars epitomize several years of design that have made Mercedes Benz become one of the most illustrious luxury brands in the world

The Iconic GTR Roadster is being introduced at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Car Show. For the uninitiated, only the most beautiful and luxuriously designed cars are showcased at Concours d’Elegance

Some people buy them for the comfort or features, and some just to make a statement

Texas-based Ronn Motors are out to spoil their customers and that too in some style

If you had been worrying about all the fuel your luxury sedan or the sports car you bought recently consume, then you are not alone

If you think Bentley is a bit less classy to justify your blingy lifestyle then you are in for a surprise with this pimped-out Bentley’s Gold version from ASI, the Japanese tuner specialized in Bentleys

Beau Boeckmann of Galpin Auto Sports whose pimped rides have been featured earlier in MTV's "Pimp My Ride."

Dilip Chhabria of DC Designs will officially unveil his super luxury concept car dubbed Ambierod on January 10, 2008 at the Auto Expo

Super luxury cars have been here after Karl Benz got that first patent for a motorwagen in Germany in January 1886

4,000 square miles and over 45 percent of remaining giant panda habitat

around 61 percent of the population, or about 980 pandas, are under protection in reserves

1,600 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

white coat with black fur around their eyes, on their ears, muzzle, legs and shoulders

The unique physical features of the species include broad, flat molars and an enlarged wrist bone that functions as an opposable thumb

Giant pandas are classified as bears

5 feet long from nose to rump, with a 4-6 inch tail

adult panda can weigh about 220-330 pounds

habitat is found at the top of the Yangtze Basin

Bats are not ugly or dirty. Most bats have very cute faces, some even resemble deer, rabbits, and little Chihuahuas. Like cats, bats spend an enormous amount of time grooming their fur, keeping it soft and silky.

Not all bats are vampires.  Of the world’s 1100+ species, only three are vampire bats limited mostly to Latin America. Vampire bats are very small (about the size of a package of M&Ms). Vampire bats do not attack humans or suck our blood; they prefer to get their teaspoon-sized meals from other animals.

Bats are wild animals, and all wild animals can be dangerous. Additionally, grounded bats are more likely to be sick so they should never be rescued bare-handed.

Bats are shy, gentle, and intelligent. They are among the slowest reproducing animals on earth. Most bat species have only one live young per year.