A256 Bats
   We have had many requests for this poster, which will be part of our popular Mammal Series, joining Primates, Carnivores, Ungulates and Marsupials.
   Bats have forelimbs that form webbed wings, making them the only mammals capable of sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals that are said to fly, such as flying squirrels and gliding possums, can only glide for short distances. Bats do not flat their entire forelimbs, as birds do, but instead flap their spread-out digits, which are very long and covered with a thin membrane or patagium.
   At the bottom of our Pterosaurs poster, we have a section that shows and explains the anatomical differences between birds, bats and pterosaurs. Since is such a unique characteristic, we may add it to the bottom of this poster, but that is not shown on the above layout.
   There are around 1,240 species of bats, but, like all mammals, they are still classified under the Linnaeus system, rather than the new cladistic one. They are divided into two suborders: (1) the less specialized and largely fruit-eating megabats, sometimes called flying foxes, and (2), the more highly specialized and echolocating microbats.
   About 70% of all bats are insectivores. Most of the others eat fruit. A few eat other things, such as the fish-eating bat and the three species of vampire bats that thrive on blood. They prefer that of humans, which is the reason for their name.
   This poster will show about 50 species, divided into two sections, one for each sub-order, which is introduced. These, in turn, are divided into families. Each is introduced. Outstanding illustrations show representative species.

STATUS: Research and layout complete. Above posters shows temporary illustrations gleaned from various sources. They will be replaced by all-new original art.