Pronunciation: [t͡ʃˈe͡əɹəptəɹə] (IPA) 
Cheiroptera is the scientific term used to describe the order of mammals commonly known as bats. The word is often misspelled as "Chiroptera," but the correct spelling includes the silent "e" before the "i." The spelling of Cheiroptera is derived from its Greek roots, with "cheir" meaning hand and "ptera" meaning wing. The pronunciation of Cheiroptera is /kaɪˈrɒptərə/, with stress on the second syllable.
Cheiroptera is a taxonomic order of mammals commonly known as bats. Derived from the Greek words "cheir" meaning hand and "ptera" meaning wing, the name Cheiroptera aptly describes these unique creatures, as their forelimbs have been adapted into wings that enable them to fly.
Bats are distributed worldwide, inhabiting various environments, from tropical rainforests to deserts. They are the second-largest order of mammals, comprising over 1,400 species, all of which are highly specialized for flight. Typically, they possess a flexible webbed membrane, known as the patagium, stretched between elongated fingers and a reduced thumb. This wing structure allows bats to perform highly agile flight maneuvers, including hovering, ascending, and darting through narrow spaces.
Cheiroptera exhibit a diverse range of sizes, from the tiny bumblebee bat, weighing less than a penny and measuring under 1.5 inches, to the largest bat, the Malayan flying fox, boasting a wingspan of up to six feet. These creatures also exhibit significant variation in their diets, with some species predominantly consuming nectar or fruit, while others are insectivorous or even hematophagous, feeding on the blood of other animals.
Bats play crucial ecological roles, serving as pollinators, seed dispersers, and insect population regulators. Their unique flight capabilities and nocturnal lifestyle grant them unparalleled access to different ecological niches. Furthermore, they have contributed to scientific research as models for understanding echolocation and the impacts of flight on mammalian anatomy.
Despite their importance, some bat populations face threats such as habitat destruction, climate change, and disease, with certain species classified as endangered. Therefore, the conservation of Cheiroptera species is of
The systematic name for bats and the bat-kind.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Cheiroptera" comes from the Ancient Greek words "cheir", meaning "hand", and "pteron", meaning "wing". These Greek terms were combined to describe the distinguishing characteristic of bats, which are mammals with forelimbs adapted as wings. Thus, the etymology of "Cheiroptera" refers to the hand-like structure of their wings.
