These bats also eat a significant number of arthropods, so it is likely that the carnivorous bats evolved from insectivorous ancestors. One genus of bats, Noctilio, trawls for small fish over the water. It uses its hind legs and specialized toe nails to snag the unsuspecting fish and then returns to a roost to feed. There are three bats that feed on blood. These are the famous vampire bats, whose foraging habits are responsible for giving many other bats a bad name.
Some bats eat plant material.
In general, frugivorous bats tend to be larger than nectivorous bats. They have a more developed sense of smell and vision, and many roost in trees rather than caves. Frugivorous bats play a major role in the overall health of the tropical forests. They disperse the seeds of the fruit they eat which helps the forest regenerate after being cut down. The plants that rely on bats for seed dispersal usually have a strongly odored fruit that remains on the tree long after they are ripe.