The origins of this family go back to the Late Oligocene of Australia, with the genus Icarops.

The study describing Vulcanops also renders Icarops paraphyletic in regards to the rest of the family.

They spend much of the time on the ground, instead of flying, and are unique in having the ability to fold their wings into a leathery membrane when not in use.

Another distinctive feature of the group is an additional projection on some of the claws, which may aid in digging or climbing.

[6] In 2010 the Department of Conservation discovered a feral cat that was responsible for killing over 100 short-tailed bats over a seven-day period in a forested area on the southern slope of Mount Ruapehu.