---
title: "Study suggests bats originated in Europe 65 million years ago"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/tech/study-suggests-bats-originated-in-europe-65-million-years-ago"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/study-suggests-bats-originated-in-europe-65-million-years-ago"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/tech/study-suggests-bats-originated-in-europe-65-million-years-ago.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/study-suggests-bats-originated-in-europe-65-million-years-ago"
category: "Science & Tech"
published: "2026-09-24T18:46:47.543Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-24T17:14:40.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-24T18:46:47.543Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 61
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-24T19:45:06.497363+00:00"
---

# Study suggests bats originated in Europe 65 million years ago

*A large-scale analysis of genomes and fossils indicates flight and echolocation evolved early in bat evolution.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to a named body, with two independent outlets and a journal cited.
- Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. The story is well-supported by multiple sources and includes quotes from study leaders.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use phrases like 'settled the debate' and 'turns everything upside down'.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Bats likely first appeared in Europe approximately 65 million years ago, according to a large study combining genome and fossil data.
- The study suggests that the evolution of flight and echolocation occurred early in the history of bats.
- Researchers analyzed genetic data from 103 bat species and information from 44 fossil bats to construct a bat family tree.
- The findings indicate bats spread from Europe to other continents, with Antarctica being the only continent they never inhabited.

A comprehensive study integrating bat genomes and fossil records suggests that bats originated in Europe approximately 65 million years ago. This places their emergence shortly after the mass extinction event that ended the age of dinosaurs. The research, which analysed genomes from 103 bat species and data from 44 fossil bats, indicates that these flying mammals then spread across the globe, reaching Africa, Asia, America, and Australia. Antarctica is noted as the only continent never inhabited by bats.

The study also proposes that key evolutionary traits, specifically the ability to fly and to echolocate, evolved near the beginning of bat evolution. Researchers used advanced computational methods to build a bat family tree, integrating genetic information with anatomical traits observed in fossils. This approach aimed to resolve long-standing debates about the origin of bats and the sequence of their evolutionary developments.

## Disagreement on early evolution

While the study suggests flight and echolocation evolved near the dawn of bat evolution, the precise timing and order of these developments remain a subject of discussion. Channel News Asia reported that researchers concluded both flight and echolocation evolved near the dawn of bat evolution. However, Channel News Asia also noted that it is unclear whether flight or echolocation evolved first, with one study leader stating that the oldest bat fossils show both capabilities, and that finding older 'pre-bats' would be necessary to answer this question.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports printed below mention the specific date of the study's publication in the journal Nature, nor do they detail the specific time period after the asteroid impact that bats are suggested to have appeared in Europe.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 43 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 18% (8)
- Centre: 61% (26)
- Right: 21% (9)

28 of 71 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-24T19:45:06.497363+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 7 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-24T20:30:27.019Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports highlighted the study's conclusion that bats originated in Europe about 65 million years ago, challenging previous hypotheses about their origins in Africa, Asia, or North America. Several reports, including those from CBC News and Gizmodo, mentioned that the study could help reveal secrets behind bats' extraordinary disease resistance and longevity. CBC News also included details about the study's methodology, such as sequencing genomes from 103 bat species and comparing them to 44 fossil bats, and quoted a study leader, Sonja Vernes, on the dispersal of bats across the planet. Gizmodo's headline, "We Finally Know Where Bats Came From, and Dracula Would Approve," alluded to the popular association of bats with the fictional vampire.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports focused on the study's main finding that bats likely originated in Europe around 65 million years ago. Multiple outlets, such as Kreiszeitung, merkur.de, tz.de, hna.de, and mannheim24.de, stated that 134 researchers from 64 countries analyzed 103 bat genomes and 44 fossil finds, and that the results showed how the animals spread from Europe to Africa, Asia, America, and Australia. Channel News Asia, also rated centre, provided more detail on the study's implications, noting that bats are critical players in global ecosystems and that their evolutionary history has been a puzzle for scientists.

### Right

- Right-rated reports primarily focused on the study's conclusion that bats originated in Europe approximately 65 million years ago, contradicting prior assumptions about their place of origin. Headlines from outlets like Chronicle-Tribune, The Messenger, and La Razón posed the question "Where did bats originate from?" and stated that new research reveals the answer. Cyprus Mail noted the participation of the University of Nicosia in the international study published in Nature. News-pravda.com mentioned that scientists uncovered the origin and secret of bat longevity, suggesting this could help humans.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- mixed: 1
- high: 21
- unknown: 28
- veryHigh: 20

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Telegraf – Najnovije vesti](https://nauka.telegraf.rs/priroda/4402858-prvi-slepi-misevi-imaju-drugacije-poreklo-nego-sto-smo-mislili) — The First Bats Have a Different Origin than We Thought
- [Fairleigh Dickinson University](https://fdu.edu/news/fdu-researcher-helps-rewrite-the-bat-family-tree-in-landmark-nature-study) — FDU Researcher Helps Rewrite the Bat Family Tree in Landmark Nature Study
- [The Hindu Business Line](https://thehindubusinessline.com/news/science/bats-likely-began-evolving-in-europe-65-million-years-ago-study-finds/article71505477.ece) — Bats may have first appeared in Europe 65 million years ago, study finds
- [elcorreogallego.es](https://elcorreogallego.es/tendencias21/2026/09/24/batman-origen-europa-reconstruida-historia-134650286.html) — Batman Originates in Europe: Reconstructed the Evolutionary History of Bats, the only Mammals Capable of Actively Flying
- [informacion.es](https://informacion.es/tendencias21/2026/09/24/batman-origen-europa-reconstruida-historia-134650274.html) — Batman Originates in Europe: Reconstructed the Evolutionary History of Bats, the only Mammals Capable of Actively Flying
- [laprovincia.es](https://laprovincia.es/tendencias21/2026/09/24/batman-origen-europa-reconstruida-historia-134650271.html) — Batman Originates in Europe: Reconstructed the Evolutionary History of Bats, the only Mammals Capable of Actively Flying
- [Reuters](https://reuters.com/science/study-reveals-evolutionary-history-bats-dating-back-65-million-years-2026-09-24) — Study reveals evolutionary history of bats, dating back 65 million years
- [Channel News Asia](https://channelnewsasia.com/business/study-reveals-evolutionary-history-bats-dating-back-65-million-years-6408906) — Study reveals evolutionary history of bats, dating back 65 million years
- [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/09/24/study-reveals-evolutionary-history-of-bats-dating-back-65-million-years) — Study reveals evolutionary history of bats, dating back 65 million years
- [PressNewsAgency](https://pressnewsagency.org/study-reveals-evolutionary-history-of-bats-dating-back-65-million-years) — Study reveals evolutionary history of bats, dating back 65 million years
- [enikos.gr](https://enikos.gr/technology/pou-gennithikan-oi-protes-nychterides-tis-gis-i-genetiki-meleti-gia-tin-agnosti-katagogi-tous-pou-anatrepei-ta-panta/2649077) — Where Were the First Bats on Earth Born? The Genetic Study of Their Unknown Origin that Turns Everything Upside Down
- [RayHaber](https://rayhaber.com/2026/09/yarasalarin-avrupa-macerasi-65-milyon-yil-once-ortaya-cikisi) — The European Adventure of Bats: Their Emergence 65 Million Years Ago
- [Metrópoles](https://metropoles.com/ciencia/estudo-genetico-revela-que-morcegos-surgiram-na-europa-e-nao-na-africa) — Genetic Study Reveals Bats Have Emerged in Europe and Not in Africa
- [Kreiszeitung](https://kreiszeitung.de/wissen/beispiellose-genom-und-fossilstudie-fledermaeuse-entstanden-vor-rund-65-millionen-jahren-in-europa-zr-94508813.html) — Exemplary Genome and Fossil Study: Bats Originated in Europe About 65 Million Years Ago
- [merkur.de](https://merkur.de/wissen/beispiellose-genom-und-fossilstudie-fledermaeuse-entstanden-vor-rund-65-millionen-jahren-in-europa-zr-94508813.html) — Exemplary Genome and Fossil Study: Bats Originated in Europe About 65 Million Years Ago
- [Cumhuriyet](https://cumhuriyet.com.tr/bilim-teknoloji/yarasalar-65-milyon-yil-once-avrupa-da-ortaya-cikmis-olabilir-2540705) — Bats May Have Originated in Europe 65 Million Years Ago.
- [tz.de](https://tz.de/wissen/beispiellose-genom-und-fossilstudie-fledermaeuse-entstanden-vor-rund-65-millionen-jahren-in-europa-zr-94508813.html) — Exemplary Genome and Fossil Study: Bats Originated in Europe About 65 Million Years Ago
- [op-online.de](https://op-online.de/welt/beispiellose-genom-und-fossilstudie-fledermaeuse-entstanden-vor-rund-65-millionen-jahren-in-europa-zr-94508813.html) — Exemplary Genome and Fossil Study: Bats Originated in Europe About 65 Million Years Ago
- [hna.de](https://hna.de/wissen/beispiellose-genom-und-fossilstudie-fledermaeuse-entstanden-vor-rund-65-millionen-jahren-in-europa-zr-94508813.html) — Exemplary Genome and Fossil Study: Bats Originated in Europe About 65 Million Years Ago
- [mannheim24.de](https://mannheim24.de/welt/beispiellose-genom-und-fossilstudie-fledermaeuse-entstanden-vor-rund-65-millionen-jahren-in-europa-zr-94508813.html) — Exemplary Genome and Fossil Study: Bats Originated in Europe About 65 Million Years Ago
- [ABC FOX Montana](https://montanarightnow.com/national_news/where-did-bats-originate-from-new-research-reveals-answer/article_aebddabf-8817-50b7-a648-cae2add21a91.html) — Where did bats originate from? New research reveals answer
- [Chronicle-Tribune](https://chronicle-tribune.com/news/wire/where-did-bats-originate-from-new-research-reveals-answer/article_d85b71e3-154a-5f6f-a0c9-2c48cf6c5a73.html) — Where did bats originate from? New research reveals answer
- [Columbia Gorge News](https://columbiagorgenews.com/news/national/where-did-bats-originate-from-new-research-reveals-answer/article_17f94754-59e7-5a85-934b-3e048ae8f07d.html) — Where did bats originate from? New research reveals answer
- [Delaware Business Now](https://delawarebusinessnow.com/news/national/where-did-bats-originate-from-new-research-reveals-answer/article_086691f6-cd88-58ba-90d5-de820e61b38f.html) — Where did bats originate from? New research reveals answer
- [Floyd Chronicle & Times](https://floydct.com/news/national/where-did-bats-originate-from-new-research-reveals-answer/article_9460930b-42c4-555f-bf3b-7c82b531cddf.html) — Where did bats originate from? New research reveals answer
- [Pacific Daily News](https://guampdn.com/news/national/where-did-bats-originate-from-new-research-reveals-answer/article_e9dff424-a168-59d2-88f7-ce0688bfdeca.html) — Where did bats originate from? New research reveals answer
- [Princeton Clarion](https://pdclarion.com/news/national/where-did-bats-originate-from-new-research-reveals-answer/article_e79472a5-01bb-555f-b191-4e0ff9b2d698.html) — Where did bats originate from? New research reveals answer
- [Purdue Exponent](https://purdueexponent.org/news/national/where-did-bats-originate-from-new-research-reveals-answer/article_62d61f69-4de8-5b72-aec7-99978a5aa433.html) — Where did bats originate from? New research reveals answer
- [Sunnyside Sun](https://sunnysidesun.com/news/national/where-did-bats-originate-from-new-research-reveals-answer/article_9e15cde0-7fc9-590f-8191-1a7913b033c6.html) — Where did bats originate from? New research reveals answer
- [The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel](https://gjsentinel.com/news/national/where-did-bats-originate-from-new-research-reveals-answer/article_532fe924-b623-5f10-83e9-6a7192fd4bf6.html) — Where did bats originate from? New research reveals answer
- [The Messenger](https://the-messenger.com/news/national/article_5539b7d2-0425-573b-8012-7e4f8ebecc11.html) — Where did bats originate from? New research reveals answer
- [gonzagabulletin.com](https://gonzagabulletin.com/news/national/where-did-bats-originate-from-new-research-reveals-answer/article_99337c25-8be5-52be-b76a-7967e1bc4f6c.html) — Where did bats originate from? New research reveals answer
- [Tioga Publishing](https://tiogapublishing.com/news/nation/where-did-bats-originate-from-new-research-reveals-answer/article_bf4985d1-9a01-51ab-b63d-cf85768a057d.html) — Where did bats originate from? New research reveals answer
- [The Courier-Times](https://thecouriertimes.com/where-did-bats-originate-from-new-research-reveals-answer/article_cb32fda9-c853-56aa-9a7b-897ef1d9c370.html) — Where did bats originate from? New research reveals answer
- [Courrier international](https://courrierinternational.com/article/evolution-une-nouvelle-etude-redessine-l-arbre-genealogique-des-chauves-souris_273876) — A New Study Redesigns the Family Tree of Bats
- [Haberler](https://haberler.com/guncel/arastirma-yarasalarin-yaklasik-65-milyon-yil-once-20267034-haberi) — Research Suggests that Bats May Have Originated in Europe Approximately 65 Million Years Ago.
- [Cyprus Mail](https://cyprus-mail.com/2026/09/24/unic-takes-part-in-international-study-on-bat-evolution-biology-published-in-nature) — UNIC takes part in international study on bat evolution, biology, published in ‘Nature’
- [scintilena.com](https://scintilena.com/origine-europea-dei-pipistrelli-genomi-e-fossili-riscrivono-65-milioni-di-anni-di-evoluzione/09/24) — European Origin of Bats: Genomes and Fossils Rewrite 65 Million Years of Evolution - Scintilena
- [University of Nicosia](https://unic.ac.cy/university-of-nicosia-participates-in-international-study-published-in-nature-on-the-evolution-and-distinctive-biology-of-bats) — University of Nicosia Participates in International Study Published in Nature on the Evolution and Distinctive Biology of Bats
- [Eesti Rahvusringhääling](https://novaator.err.ee/1610146609/uuring-nahkhiired-oppisid-lendama-euroopas) — Study: Bats Learned to Fly in Europe
- [La Razón](https://larazon.es/animales-mascotas/donde-vienen-murcielagos-estudio-situa-origen-europa-hace-65-millones-anos-b50m_202609246ab4d8935e0dc70596aadf35.html) — Where Do Bats Come From? A Study Places Their Origin in Europe 65 Million Years Ago
- [dialogos.com.cy](https://dialogos.com.cy/symmetochi-toy-panepistimioy-leykosias-se-diethni-meleti-poy-dimosieythike-sto-periodiko-nature) — Participation of the University of Nicosia in an International Study Published in the Journal Nature
- [Brňan](https://brnan.cz/udalosti/vedci-netopyri-vznikli-pred-65-miliony-let-v-evrope) — Scientists: Bats Originated in Europe 65 Million Years Ago
- [Folha de S.Paulo](https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/emcimadahora/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/ciencia/2026/09/estudo-mais-completo-ate-agora-revela-origem-dos-morcegos-na-europa-ha-65-milhoes-de-anos.shtml) — Bats Emerged in Europe 65 Million Years Ago - 24/09/2026
- [wissenschaft.de](https://wissenschaft.de/artikel/fledermaeuse-haben-ihren-ursprung-in-europa) — Bats Have Their Origins in Europe
- [unsw.edu.au](https://news.unsw.edu.au/en/bats-originated-in-europe-not-asia) — Bats originated in Europe, not Asia
- [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/eu/2026/09/24/2615751.html) — Scientists have uncovered the origin and secret of bat longevity
- [themondonews.com](https://themondonews.com/science/bats-originated-in-europe-genetic-and-fossil-evidence-suggests) — Bats Originated in Europe, Genetic and Fossil Evidence Suggests
- [sci.news](https://sci.news/biology/bat-family-tree-15089.html) — Bats Originated in Europe, Genetic and Fossil Evidence Suggests
- [The Washington Post](https://washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2026/09/24/what-landmark-new-study-reveals-about-origin-bats) — What a landmark new study reveals about the origin of bats
- [Newswise](https://newswise.com/articles/new-genomic-research-reveals-bats-originated-in-europe) — New Genomic Research Reveals Bats Originated in Europe
- [ALnavío](https://alnavio.es/estudio-genetico-revela-que-los-murcielagos-se-originaron-en-europa-hace-65-millones-de-anos) — Genetic Study Reveals that Bats Originated in Europe 65 Million Years Ago
- [CBC News](https://cbc.ca/news/science/bat-genome-bat1k-9.7355461) — Where did bats come from? Family tree drawn from huge genetic study
- [iDNES.cz](https://idnes.cz/zpravy/domaci/netopyri-vedci-studie-echolokace-savci.A260923_175302_domaci_aya) — Bats Evolved in Europe 65 Million Years Ago. Scientists, Including Czechs, Are Shattering the Myth
- [IndexHR](https://index.hr/vijesti/clanak/znanstvenici-sismisi-bi-mogli-pomoci-u-lijecenju-raka/2838056.aspx) — Scientists: Bats Are Full of Viruses, but They Don't Die. This Could Help Humans Too
- [Extra.ie](https://extra.ie/2026/09/23/news/irish-news/bats-first-evolved-irish-scientists) — Mystery of where bats first evolved solved by Irish scientists
- [The Globe & Mail](https://theglobeandmail.com/canada/science/article-royal-ontario-museum-bats-family-tree) — Royal Ontario Museum provides crucial genetic samples for revising bat family tree
- [elDiarioAR](https://eldiarioar.com/sociedad/megaestudio-revela-misterioso-origen-murcielagos-son-mayores-experimentos-evolucion_1_13533017.html) — A Mega-Study Reveals the Mysterious Origin of Bats: “They Are One of the Greatest Experiments of Evolution”
- [lavozdemichoacan.com.mx](https://lavozdemichoacan.com.mx/michoacan/morelia/los-murcielagos-se-originaron-en-europa-hace-unos-65-millones-de-anos) — Bats Originated in Europe About 65 Million Years Ago
- [Live Science](https://livescience.com/animals/land-mammals/earths-first-bats-didnt-come-from-where-we-thought-landmark-genetic-study-reveals) — Earth's first bats didn't come from where we thought, landmark genetic study reveals
- [Mediafax](https://mediafax.ro/stiinta-sanatate/revolutie-in-medicina-secretul-evolutiei-liliecilor-ar-putea-debloca-noi-terapii-impotriva-cancerului-si-patogenilor-mortali-23812772) — Revolution in Medicine. The Secret of Bat Evolution Could Unlock New Therapies Against Cancer and Deadly Pathogens
- [online-listing.com](https://online-listing.com/news/blogger/2026/09/23/bats-originated-in-europe-rewriting-mammals-family-tree-study-reveals/happenings) — Bats originated in Europe, rewriting mammals’ family tree, study reveals
- [n-tv](https://n-tv.de/wissen/Fledertiere-stammen-wohl-aus-Europa-id31339216.html) — Researchers Decipher Genetic Material: Bats Probably Come From Europe
- [Hola News](https://holanews.com/los-murcielagos-se-originaron-en-europa-hace-unos-65-millones-de-anos) — Bats Originated in Europe About 65 Million Years Ago
- [Gizmodo](https://gizmodo.com/we-finally-know-where-bats-came-from-and-dracula-would-approve-2000816021) — We Finally Know Where Bats Came From—and Dracula Would Approve
- [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-09-genomes-fossils-european-million-years.html) — Bat genomes and fossils point to a European origin 65 million years ago
- [Eldiario.es](https://eldiario.es/sociedad/megaestudio-revela-misterioso-origen-murcielagos-son-mayores-experimentos-evolucion_1_13525409.html) — A Mega-Study Reveals the Mysterious Origin of Bats: “They Are One of the Greatest Experiments of Evolution”
- [Česká televize](https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/veda/vedci-prepsali-rodokmen-netopyru-jejich-kolebkou-je-evropa-377868) — Scientists Have Rewritten the Family Tree of Bats, Their Cradle Is Europe
- [Spiegel](https://spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/fledermaeuse-stammen-wohl-urspruenglich-aus-europa-a-77d7ef52-0926-4501-9ec2-f7506dd44391) — Bats Are Probably Originally From Europe
- [Smithsonian Mag](https://smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/these-small-stealthy-bats-use-high-frequency-vocalizations-to-keep-their-chatter-out-of-the-range-of-predators-and-prey-180989550) — These Small, Stealthy Bats Use High-Frequency Vocalizations to Keep Their Chatter Out of the Range of Predators and Prey
- [Nature](https://nature.com/articles/d41586-026-02637-8) — Genome project opens the next chapter for studying bat evolution

## Questions

**When and where did bats first appear according to the study?**

A large study combining bat genomes and fossils suggests that bats first appeared in Europe about 65 million years ago. This timing places their emergence shortly after the extinction of the dinosaurs.

**What key evolutionary traits evolved early in bats?**

The study indicates that the evolution of flight and echolocation, the biological sonar system many bats use, occurred near the dawn of bat evolution. These abilities are considered fundamental to their success and diversification.

**How many bat species and fossils were analysed in the study?**

Researchers analysed genomes from 103 different bat species and integrated this data with an analysis of 44 fossil bats. This extensive dataset was used to construct a comprehensive bat family tree.

**Which continent have bats never inhabited?**

According to the findings of the study, Antarctica is the only continent that bats have never inhabited. From their likely origin in Europe, they spread to other parts of the world.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/tech/study-suggests-bats-originated-in-europe-65-million-years-ago. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Study suggests bats originated in Europe 65 million years ago", https://mediabias.news/tech/study-suggests-bats-originated-in-europe-65-million-years-ago