A bat is a nocturnal, wing-handed, flying mammals, having the forelimb peculiarly modified so as to serve for flight, and constituting the order Cheiroptera (Chiroptera). Bats are sub-divided into two groups; Megachiroptera (the megabats) and Microchiroptera (the microbats).
Bats are structurally not very different from typical mammals except for the extension of their finger bones to carry flight membranes, and their backward bending knees, though their conquest of the air is a marked difference. Echolocation in bats is associated with large ears and in some cases facial skin growths, and the ability to catch flying insects at night. This food source is seasonal, which, combined with their small size, has favoured the evolution of hibernation. Daily torpor, in which the body temperature drops to the ambient temperature is common among temperate bats, and is another energy-saving adaptation necessitated by small bodies engaged in such a high energy activity as flying. Short migrations to roosts of appropriate temperatures occur throughout the year. Mating begins in the autumn, and continues at intervals throughout hibernation. Sperm is stored and ovulation and fertilisation take place in the spring with a typical litter of just one young occurring. The parent shows a strong degree of attachment for her offspring, and when they are captured, will follow them, and even submit to captivity herself rather than forsake her charge.
Bats are common in temperate and warm regions. but are most numerous and largest in the tropics. All European bats are small, and have a mouse-like skin. The body of the largest British species, Vespertilio noctula, is less than that of a mouse, but its wings stretch about 38 cm. During the day it remains in caverns, in the crevices of ruins, hollow trees, and such-like lurking-places, and flits out at evening in search of food, which consists of insects.
Several species of the same genus are common in North America, Many bats are remarkable for having a singular nasal cutaneous appendage, bearing in some cases, a fancied resemblance to a horse-shoe. Two of these horse-shoebats occur in Britain. Bats may be conveniently divided into two sections - the insectivorous or carnivorous, comprising all European and most African and American species; and the fruit-eating, belonging to tropical Asia and Australia, with several African forms. An Australian fruit-eating bat (Pteropus edulis) commonly known as the kalong or flying-fox, is the largest of all the bats; it does much mischief in orchards. At least two species of South American bats are known to suck the blood of other mammals, and thence are called 'vampire-bats' (though this name has also been given to a species not guilty of this habit). The best known is the Desmodus Rufus of Brazil, Chilli, etc. Research Bat
The Vampire Bat (Phyllostomatidae) is a large family of about 150 species of bat distinguished by a well developed 'leaf' above the nose, or by skin folds or warts beneath the chin. The middle finger of the wing has three joints. Vampire Bats are confined to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world where they live in forest areas feeding on fruit and insects, although two species, Desmodus and Diphylla are blood sucking. Research Vampire Bat
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco was an Italian born American composer. He was born in 1895 and died in 1968. he composed music scores for films including the 1944 'The Return of The Vampire'. Research Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Brad Pitt (real name William Bradley Pitt) is an American actor. He was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma in 1963. He started acting while attending the University of Missouri, and achieved success when he appeared in the soapopera ' Dallas', before rocketing to stardom for his starring role in the film 'Interview With The Vampire'. Research Brad Pitt
Dion Boucicault (real name Dionysisus Lardner Bourcicault) was an Irish author and actor. He was born in 1822 at Dublin and died in 1890. Educated at Bruce Castle School, Tottenham and London University he was intended for an architect, but the success of a comedy, the well-known London Assurance, which he wrote when only nineteen years old, determined him for a career in connection with the stage. He first appeared on the London stage at the Princess' on the 14th of June 1852 in his own play 'The Vampire'. Dion Boucicault being a remarkably facilewriter, in a few years had produced quite a lengthy list of pieces, both in comedy and melodrama, and all more or less successful. We may mention Old Heads and Young Hearts, Love in a Maze, Used Up, the Corsican Brothers.
In 1853 he went to America, where he was scarcely less popular than in England. On his return in 1860 he produced a new style of drama, dealing largely in sensation but with more heart in it than his earlier work. The Colleen Bawn and Arrah-na-Pogue are the best examples. Indeed the best Dion Boucicault could do was such pictures of Irish life and manners. As an actor he was clever, but not highly gifted. His dramatic pieces are said to number more than 150. Research Dion Boucicault
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