Reporter:
Tia Puspita|
Editor:
Find out|
Tuesday 10-29-2024,22:00 WIB
Since when can bats fly? Interesting Facts about the Evolution of This Unique Mammal!–Youtube Q&A DBL
HARIANBANYUASIN.COM – Bats are the only mammals that can fly, and this makes them one of the most unique creatures in the animal kingdom.
With thin membrane-shaped wings that span the size of their bodies, bats have been flying in the earth’s skies for millions of years.
However, the question is: since when exactly can bats fly, and how did they evolve to have this ability?
READ ALSO: Why Do Termites Lick Their Queens To Death?
READ ALSO: Keep Smiling! Quokka, Australian animal that went viral because of its happiness
Wing Evolution
Bats are thought to have started developing wings and the ability to fly around 50 to 60 million years ago, after the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Scientists reveal that the ancestors of bats were small land mammals that likely had long legs and sharp claws for climbing and jumping.
However, some of these species experienced significant evolutionary changes in their body structure, especially in the elongated front legs and the development of thin, wing-like membranes.
READ ALSO: Want to Know the Difference? This is how to differentiate between male and female local turtle doves!
READ ALSO: Amazing! Starfish and Their Extreme Regeneration Abilities
The oldest bat fossil discovered, named Onychonycteris finneyi, was found in North America and is estimated to be 52 million years old.
This fossil shows that Onychonycteris already had wings, but its fingers were longer, and its wings were not as efficient as modern bats in terms of maneuverability and flying agility.
From these fossils, the researchers concluded that bats’ ability to fly underwent a long and gradual process.
Source:
The Marvelous Evolution of Bats: Flying Misfits of the Mammal World!
Well, here’s a question to ponder while you’re enjoying your late-night binge-watch of bat documentaries: **Since when can bats fly?** You might think they just popped into our lives with their superhero vibes and cool nocturnal antics. But nope, these winged wonders have been zooming through the skies for more than 50 million years! Who knew bats were not just the goth kids of the animal kingdom, but also the aerobatics champions?
Interesting Fact: Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight! Talk about being the odd one out in the mammal family reunion.
So, how did these little mammalian acrobats come to dominate the night skies? It turns out that their great-great-great-granddaddies were less about flying and more about climbing, leaping, and probably getting into some awkward evolutionary situations.
The answer lies in their evolutionary journey. Bats likely started sprouting wings and the flying finesse we see today around the time the dinosaurs were having their last supper—somewhere around **50 to 60 million years ago**. That’s right; after a few hundred million years of dinosaurs ruling the roost, a bunch of small, land-dwelling mammals looked up at the sky and thought, “Why not take a crack at that?”
Now, scientists speculate that these ancient mammals had long legs and sharp claws that were perfect for tree-climbing—like their distant relatives, the squirrels, except with a flair for the dramatic. No one would say “mammals with wings” if they had Pokédex entries, would they? More like “awkward jumpers with a penchant for altitude.”
But here comes Onychonycteris finneyi, the oldest known bat fossil, estimated to be 52 million years old. Found in North America, this fossil shows that our winged friends were working on their flight plan long before they nailed their landing! With longer fingers and less maneuverable wings, this bat was probably the clumsy kid of the class—still impressive, but definitely not acing the aerial gymnastic routines.
Researchers have concluded that the evolution of bat flight was no overnight success story. It was a slow and gradual process, where each iteration got a bit better at navigating through the night skies. So next time you’re out wondering how a bat made a perfect left turn mid-flight, just remember that they’ve got millions of years of practice and a whole lot of wingman-history backing them up!
In essence, bats are nature’s brilliant response to “Can mammals fly?”—a question that left their prehistoric ancestors saying, “Dare to dream!” So, when you hear the flutter of wings overhead, know that you’re witnessing a glorious evolutionary tale that spans millions of years, packed with awkward beginnings and gradual improvements. And let’s face it, if you can keep flying and avoid becoming a fossil, you’re already winning!
So, with bats soaring above and the ongoing mystery of their evolution, it’s safe to say they’ve truly earned their wings—in both literal and metaphorical senses! Who knew evolution could have such a sense of humor?
HARIANBANYUASIN.COM – Bats are renowned as the sole mammals capable of true flight, a remarkable adaptation that distinguishes them from all other animals in Earth’s diverse fauna.
Bats have been soaring through the skies for an astounding 50 to 60 million years, following the dramatic extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs, showcasing the resilience of this unique class of mammals.
Scientists reveal that the ancestors of bats were diminutive terrestrial mammals, equipped with long limbs and sharp claws ideal for climbing trees and leaping between branches. Over millions of years, these species underwent significant evolutionary adjustments, particularly in their forelimbs, which elongated and developed into specialized, wing-like structures.
The oldest bat fossil to date, Onychonycteris finneyi, was unearthed in North America, providing crucial insights into bat evolution, and is estimated to be around 52 million years old.
This primitive bat already exhibited wing structures, yet its elongated fingers and less efficient flight capabilities suggest that its flying abilities were still in the early stages compared to contemporary bats.
These findings indicate that the evolution of flight in bats was not a sudden occurrence but rather a slow and intricate process, shaped by environmental pressures and gradual adaptations over millions of years.
READ ALSO: Why Do Termites Lick Their Queens To Death?
READ ALSO: Keep Smiling! Quokka, Australian animal that went viral because of its happiness
READ ALSO: Want to Know the Difference? This is how to differentiate between male and female local turtle doves!
READ ALSO: Amazing! Starfish and Their Extreme Regeneration Abilities
Source:
