User:Ramen Scientist/Bat Flight

Welcome to Bat Flight!

Bat Flight Adaptations
Bats are the only mammals specialized for flight for a few reasons. Not only do they have specialized forelimbs and membranes. But also impressive pectoral and back muscles used for powering their wingbeats in flight. Both of these muscle groups are similar in appearance among vertebrates. However bats have a unique muscle group known as the occipito-pollicalis. A necessary muscle group for mammalian flight. These muscle groups act to power flight and utilize the plagiopatagium which is the skin overlapping the forelimb, similar to the skin on species of flying squirrels.