Chiroptology is the study of bats and their ecology. Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight, and have been studied for centuries by scientists interested in their unique anatomy and physiology. More recently, bats have come under increased scrutiny due to their important role in ecosystems around the world and their vulnerability to human disturbance.
There are more than 1,200 species of bat globally, divided into two suborders: Megachiroptera (the large Old World fruit bats) and Microchiroptera (the small New World insect-eating bats). Bats are found on every continent except Antarctica, although they are most diverse in tropical regions.
Bats play vital roles in many ecosystems as predators of night-flying insects, pollinators of flowers, and dispersers of seeds. They also serve as important food sources for other animals such as owls, snakes, and spiders. In some cultures bats are considered lucky or beneficial animals while in others they are feared or reviled. However, all cultures seem to be fascinated by these nocturnal creatures with an ability to fly.
Bats face many threats from humans including habitat loss/destruction, hunting/poaching, pollution/toxins, wind turbines, and white-nose syndrome (WNS). WNS is a fungal disease that has killed millions of hibernating bats in North America since it was first discovered in 2006. The fungus grows on the noses and wings of affected bats causing them to wake up more frequently during winter when food is scarce leading to starvation. WNS has spread rapidly across the continent decimating entire populations of several species of bat.