犬吻蝠科 Molossidae (Sub-family of Chiroptera)

Molossidae,源于希腊语μολοσσός (molossós),意指该科成员的鼻子很像古希腊的摩洛斯犬（Molossus）Molossidae, from Greek μολοσσός (molossós), in reference to the fact that the snout of the members of this family resembles the Molossus ancient greek breed of dogs.

種的俗名 Common names of members

皱唇蝠/無尾蝠.

Free-tailed bats.

分佈 Distribution

在新大陆,从美国中部向南一直到阿根廷南部.在旧大陆,牠们分布在欧洲南部和非洲,向东穿过热带和亚热带亚洲到达澳大利亚.

In the New World, from the central United States south to southern Argentina. In the Old World, they occur in southern Europe and Africa, eastward through tropical and subtropical Asia to Australia.

體型 Size

牠们的体长（不包括尾巴）从 4 公分到 12 公分不等,体重从 8 克到 220 克不等.

They range from 4 to 12 cm in length, excluding the tail, and can weigh from 8 to 220 g.

形態描述 Morphology

They are usually gray, brown, or black in color, with some exceptions. The tail is usually best seen when resting. A special ring of cartilage slides up or down the tail vertebrae by muscular action to stretch or retract the tail membrane.

牠们通常呈灰色、棕色或黑色,但也有例外.通常在休息时尾巴才最为明显.在肌肉的作用下,一个特殊的软骨环会在尾椎上下滑动,能拉伸或收缩尾膜.

生態與棲息地 Habitat & Ecology

所有陆地环境.有些物种以小群形式栖息在空心树或岩石缝隙中,有些穴居物种则形成庞大的群落,数量多达 5000 万只.

All terrestrial environments. While some species roost in small groups in hollow trees or rocky crevices, some cave-dwelling species form vast colonies of up to 50 million individuals.

食性 Diet

牠们以昆虫为食.

They are insectivorous.

繁殖 Reproduction

大多数蝙蝠物种都是一雄多雌,即一只雄性蝙蝠与多只雌性蝙蝠交配,但也有多雄多雌,即多只雄性蝙蝠与多只雌性蝙蝠交配.雌性负责大部分的育儿工作.雄性负责喂养和保护幼崽.刚出生的蝙蝠不会飞,所以牠们会呆在窝里或爬到母亲身上.通常 2-4 周后牠们就能飞了.

Most bat species are polygynous, where one male mates with multiple females, but there are polygynandry systems too, where multiple males mate with multiple females. Females are responsible for most of the parenting care. Males responsible for feeding and protecting young. Newborn bats cannot fly so they stay in the dwell or climb on their mothers. Usually they can fly after 2-4 weeks.