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Hiding In Our Midst: Inside The World Of Melbourne's Microbats

Some of them are small enough to fit on the end of your finger.

With an inaudible high-pitched call and a body so tiny it could fit on the end of your finger, it's no surprise most Melburnians are oblivious to the microbats flying over their backyards every night.

These tiny bats aren't to be feared though. In fact with mosquito season in sight you'll be praying for more to swing by your place for an evening snack.

Emerging from behind pieces of loose bark at dusk, Melbourne's microbats perform a "vital service above our backyards" by feasting on mozzies and other "pesky insects".

"Most Melburnians aren't aware that they are living alongside these remarkable creatures," Mark Antos from Parks Victoria said.

"Our parks in Metropolitan Melbourne provide critical habitat and food for bats but householders can also help by creating habitat in their backyards, such as leaving dead branches and loose bark on trees when it's safe to do so, or by installing bat boxes."

We've rounded up a few of the most common specie.

1. Little Forest Bat

He's SO FLUFFY.
Mark Antos
He's SO FLUFFY.
He looks like he's belting out a tune -- but don't worry, you won't be able to hear it.
Source: Museum Victoria / David Paul
He looks like he's belting out a tune -- but don't worry, you won't be able to hear it.

2. Southern Forest Bat

"I can fly".
Source: Museum Victoria / David Paul
"I can fly".

3. Large Forest Bat

What a fro.
Source: Museum Victoria / David Paul
What a fro.

4. Lesser Long-eared Bat

Check out the ears.
Source: Museum Victoria / David Paul
Check out the ears.

5. Chocolate Wattled Bat

Source: Museum Victoria / David Paul

6. Gould's Wattled Bat

Cheeeeeeese.
Source: Museum Victoria / Photog
Cheeeeeeese.

7. White-striped Free-tailed Bat

Hair inspired by Elvis.
Source: Museum Victoria / Heath Warwick
Hair inspired by Elvis.
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