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Globally bats (Order : Chiroptera) comprise around 20% of all mammal species, but this percentage
rises in Southeast Asia where, at least locally, bats may comprise around 40% of
all mammals. The play an important role in pollination and seed dispersal in Southeast
Asia's forests, yet remain amongst the least studied of the regions mammals.
Included here are examples of the huge
Flying Foxes which can weigh over 1 kg and have wingspans of almost 1.5
metres, and the tiny Whiskered Myotis
which hides amongst bamboo leaves and weighs just 6 grams. Larger bats are
generally frugivorous (fruit eating), while smaller species tend to be
insectivorous (insect eating). Blood-sucking vampire bats do not occur in
Southeast Asia, but are confined to Central and South America.
Mega-colonies of Miniopterus or
Bent-winged bats occur where limestone caves afford sufficient
roosting space. In parts of Borneo such colonies may number over
100,000 individuals. |
