Megachiroptera

mammal suborder

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

Megachiroptera is a suborder of bats, commonly known as Old World fruit bats or flying foxes. These are typically large bats that feed on ripe fruit, pollen, and nectar. Unlike their counterparts, Microchiroptera, Megachiroptera primarily use visual navigation rather than echolocation. They are characterized by smooth-crowned molars and a claw on their index finger. This suborder, along with Microchiroptera, forms the order Chiroptera.123

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bat
Annotated classification
Suborder Megachiroptera Family Pteropodidae (flying foxes and other Old World fruit bats) 186 generally large species in 42 fruit- or flower-feeding genera found in the Old World tropics and subtropics, including many Pacific islands. Lack acoustic orientation except rousette bats (Rousettus
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Suborder Megachiroptera Family Pteropodidae (flying foxes and other Old World fruit bats) 186 generally large species in 42 fruit- or flower-feeding genera found in the Old World tropics and subtropics, including many Pacific islands. Lack acoustic orientation except rousette bats (Rousettus
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bat
Evolution and paleontology
…readily divided into two suborders—Megachiroptera (large Old World fruit bats) and Microchiroptera (small bats). The Megachiroptera orient visually and exhibit a number of primitive skeletal features. The Microchiroptera orient acoustically. It is not certain that they have a common origin. The suborders either evolved separately from flightless insectivores or…
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…readily divided into two suborders—Megachiroptera (large Old World fruit bats) and Microchiroptera (small bats). The Megachiroptera orient visually and exhibit a number of primitive skeletal features. The Microchiroptera orient acoustically. It is not certain that they have a common origin. The suborders either evolved separately from flightless insectivores or…
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bat
General features
…into two well-defined suborders: the Megachiroptera (the large Old World fruit bats) and the Microchiroptera (small bats found worldwide). Among members of the Megachiroptera, flying foxes (Pteropus) have a wingspan of 1.5 metres (about 5 feet) and a weight of 1 kg (2.2 pounds). The largest insectivorous bat is probably…
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…into two well-defined suborders: the Megachiroptera (the large Old World fruit bats) and the Microchiroptera (small bats found worldwide). Among members of the Megachiroptera, flying foxes (Pteropus) have a wingspan of 1.5 metres (about 5 feet) and a weight of 1 kg (2.2 pounds). The largest insectivorous bat is probably…
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mammal
Food habits
The flying foxes (Megachiroptera) have generally maintained a fruit-eating habit, although some have become rather specialized nectar feeders. Members of the other major group (Microchiroptera) have been less conservative and have undergone considerable divergence in feeding habits. A majority of living microchiropterans are insectivorous, but members of two…
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The flying foxes (Megachiroptera) have generally maintained a fruit-eating habit, although some have become rather specialized nectar feeders. Members of the other major group (Microchiroptera) have been less conservative and have undergone considerable divergence in feeding habits. A majority of living microchiropterans are insectivorous, but members of two…
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