Classification and Taxonomy of Bats

Did you know that bats are the only mammal capable of true flight? They are also one of the only mammals known to consume blood! Bats are fascinating creatures, and fun to learn about. They are found in regions spanning all across the globe, varying in looks, size, diet, navigational traits, and more. Bats are certainly worth a study or two, and can actually teach you a lot about animal understanding and tolerance.

For example, bats have been pushed out of their natural habitats and forced into urban areas due to human over-development; as a result, they are frequently regarded as pests, rodents, and nuisance animals.

But the truth is, bats are an essential part of our surrounding ecosystem, and they play an integral role in mosquito and insect control in our parks and backyards every night. If you are tuned-in and ready to learn about bats, you need to start with the basics. Continue reading to learn the classification and taxonomy of bats.

What are Bats?

Bats are classified by 9 categories in terms of taxonomy. In order from biggest to smallest, these categories include kingdom, phylum, subphylum, class, order, suborder, family, genera, and species. There are two suborders of bats, Microchiroptera Megachiroptera. There are 16 “families” of Microchiroptera bats, but only 1 family of megabats called Pteropodidae. The Pteropodidae includes Old World Fruit Bats and Flying Foxes. And even more interesting, there are 187 “genera” of bats, and over 950 species!

According to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), this is the taxonomy of bats is…

I. KINGDOM: Animalia

II. PHYLUM: Chordata

III. SUBPHYLUM: Vertebrata

IV. CLASS: Mammalia

V. ORDER: Chiroptera

VI. SUBORDER: Microchiroptera, Megachiroptera

VII. FAMILY: Noctilionidae, Pteropodidae, Antrozoidae, Vespertilionidae, Rhinopomatidae, Mystacinidae, Craseonycteridae, Molossidae, Emballonuridae, Nycteridae, Megadermatidae, Rhinolophidae, Mormoopidae, Phyllostomidae, Natalidae, Furipteridae, Thyropteridae, Myzopodidae

VIII. GENERA: 187 is too many! Click here for a complete list.

IX. SPECIES: Over 950! Click here for a list.

Indianapolis Bat Removal and Control

Call 317-535-4605 for affordable and safe bat removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed and insured bat removal and control technicians with over 30 years of experience in the bat control industry. We offer bat removal, prevention, exclusion, proofing, structural damage repairs, attic restorations, inspections, free estimates, discounts, and more! Call 317-535-4605 to get started toward a bat-free future, today.

How to Protect your Home from Bat Intrusion and Infestation

A bat infestation within your home can be harmful in many ways. Not only can your family be at risk of bat bites, diseases, and encounters; the structural integrity of your house is also vulnerable. Bat droppings, nesting, breeding, feeding, and more can cause extensive amounts of damage to several areas of a home. Attics, crawl spaces, wall interiors, garages, and roofs are common areas for wild bats to roost. These are the areas that need to be most protected.

Wild animal exclusion is the best way to prevent bat disturbances on any property. With a little effort and attention to detail, you can have your home or office protected from bats and various other wild animals too! Continue reading to learn some effective ways to prevent bats from entering your property, and who to call for expert advice and service in your neighborhood.

Assess the Property Surroundings

It is important to determine how attractive your property can be to bats. Are there overgrown shrubs and bushes all around? Any nearby watering holes? Are there trees in close proximity to your house? Is this the type of environment a bat colony can flourish in? These examples are proven habitats for wild bats. In heavy shrubbery they can find abundant food sources in insects, fruit, and nuts. Nearby trees gives them easy access to rooftops which can lead to potential attic entry. Gaps in windows and doors can also give them access inside. You must first look for all these clues to start preparing your house for bat exclusion. Here are some areas and tricks to use to protect your house from bat invasion:

• Always Keep All Doors and Windows Shut or Enclosed at Night

• Secure All Window Screens; Be sure they Fit Properly

• Use Aerosol Foam Insulation, Weather-Proofing Strips, or Hardware Cloths to Plug any Exterior Holes on the House or Rooftop

• Use Yellow Lights, Rather than the Traditional Outdoor Light Bulbs, to Attract Less Insects; thus Eliminating One of their Chief Food Sources

• Purchase and Install Stainless Steel Chimney Caps

• Seal All Exposed Holes in Exterior of House

• Place Liberal Amounts of Eucalyptus or Mint Leaves in Attics and Crawl Spaces to Thwart Bats from Entry

• Hire a Licensed Bat Removal Company to Facilitate Proper Exclusion Services All-Around

These tips and more can all be helpful when it comes to protecting your home from wild bat intrusion or infestation. Bats can cause a considerable amount of damage to a home, so it is vital that they are removed as soon as they are detected. The best way to prevent bats from destroying your property is to hire a licensed bat control company to implement professional bat exclusion techniques and services that are guaranteed to work.

Indianapolis Bat Exclusion Services

To get in touch with a professional bat control technician for bat exclusion services in Indianapolis, IN, just call 317-535-4605 today. We are DNR licensed and insured bat control and removal specialists with more than three decades of experience in the industry. We offer free estimates, DIY advice, references, coupons, discounts, structural damage repairs and restorations, and more! Visit our webpage at http://www.batremovalindianapolis.com for details about our services and company credentials. Call 317-535-4605 for free information about how to protect your home from bat intrusion and invasion in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding cities and towns.