For my science project in Spain, I chose to write about bats. I was truly inspired as we ventured into the depths of Ronda Cave. The cave we visited was called cueva de la pileta. The cave hides interesting stories, including stories about bats. I knew I wanted to do echolocation. I decided not only to write about echolocation, but also about different species of bats. Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera. Bats' forelimbs and webbed wings make them the only mammals naturally capable of true, sustained flight. Unlike flying squirrels, bats can fly long distances, while the flying squirrel can only glide short distances. There are approximately 1,240 different species of bats. These bat species are divided into different suborders, the less specialized and largely frugivorous megabats, and the highly specialized and echolocating microbats. Nearly 70% of bats are insectivorous, meaning they are carnivores that primarily base their diet on insects. Almost all others are fruit-eating. Frugivores only eat fruit. There are several different species that eat other species rather than insects and fruits, such as the fish bat, also known as Myotis vivesi. Myotis vivesi is found very rarely in California and the Gulf of Mexico. There is a species of bloodsucking bat. This bat feeds on blood, hence the name Vampire Bat. The vampire bat feeds on the blood of mammals, sometimes including humans. Not only are bats impressive, they perform vital ecological tasks, such as pollinating flowers and spreading fruit seeds. The largest species of bat is the giant golden-crowned flying fox. The giant golden-crowned flying fox can weigh up to 4 pounds and have a wingspan of...... middle of paper ...... self-deafening oid. The bat then uses the Doppler effect to bring the echo back within range. The Doppler effect applies to moving objects, such as a passing car. As the car approaches, the frequency of the sound is higher than the sound made by the car, when the car passes, the frequency is exactly the same, then the frequency decreases as the car moves further away. Bats use this to their advantage to be able to locate their prey. The Doppler effect is also used in radar guns. The bat can also use it to determine how fast its prey is moving. Because bats hunt at night to reduce competition with birds and other flying creatures, they have a very good sense of smell as well as hearing. Bats can find moths by hearing the frequency of their wingbeats. This allows bats to locate butterflies without resorting to echolocation.