Molossidae, the free-tailed bats, is the fourth-largest bat family with about 110 species as of 2012, distinguished by a tail that extends well beyond the membrane joining it to the hind legs. They are robust bats with long, narrow wings that let them fly up to 60 miles per hour with tailwinds and at altitudes over 10,000 feet, wrinkled lips, and cartilage that lets them stretch or retract the tail membrane for maneuverability comparable to swifts, swallows and martins. Free-tailed bats are found on every continent except Antarctica, typically roosting in caves, abandoned mines or tunnels.
Facts
Classification
Living or Extinct Taxonomic Rank Connections
Parent Taxon Of
Source Little free-tailed bat (Wikidata)
Source Sinaloan mastiff bat (Wikidata)
Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ737399, descriptionView the Source 2. Wikipedia: Free-tailed bat
WikipediaIntroductionQuote, Introduction
The Molossidae, or free-tailed bats, are a family of bats within the order Chiroptera.
View the Source Wikidata: Molossidae
Wikidata Q737399, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Little free-tailed bat (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Little free-tailed bat, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source Sinaloan mastiff bat (Wikidata)
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Sinaloan mastiff bat, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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