| Frio Nature Conservancy |
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| BAT FACTS |
Some people consider bats as "FLYING MICE", they would be so insulted, bats are so
unique and not associated to rodents in any way, that scientists have put them in a
class all of their own "Chiroptera" meaning hand-wing. They are grouped alongside
primates and lemurs called Archonta.
ARE BATS BLIND? Absolutely not, they see every bit as good as we do. The fruit bat has
eyesight that is adapted to low-light, much like cats and some studies revealed that some see in
color. Therefore, the phrase "BLIND AS A BAT" is certainly a myth. However, most bats can
navigate at night using echolocation to more accurately locate their prey. Simply put, most bats
depend on their superbly developed echolocation (or sonar) system to navigate and capture
insects in the dark. Bats emit pulses of very high-frequency sound (inaudible to human ears) at a
rate of a few to 200 per second. By listening to the echoes reflected back to them, they can
discern objects in their path. Their echolocation ability is so acute they can avoid obstacles no
wider than a piece of thread and capture tiny flying insects, even in complete darkness.
BATS ARE THE ONLY TRUE FLYING MAMMAL : Bats are considered high-altitude flying
mammals, they have been recorded at 10,000 feet and can travel at speeds of 25 to 80 MPH.
BATS GET TANGLED IN PEOPLE'S HAIR ?: Another myth, on rare occasions bats may fly very
close to someone's face, that's because they are fixing to catch that mosquito that about to get
you, they do not get stuck in people's hair. That's because the bats ability to echolocate is so
acute that it can avoid obstacles no wider than a piece of thread.
ALL BATS CARRY RABIES! Again not true, facts are that less than ½ of 1% of bats carry the
rabies virus, far less than other animals. For one, bats are rarely aggressive towards people.
Statistics bear this out, as fewer than 40 people, in the United States, have been recorded as
contracting rabies from bats over the past 40 years. So in reality, your chances of being killed by
a dog attack, a lightning strike, a bee sting or a power lawn mower is far greater then by a bat.
But do remember, that bats are wild animals and as such, the possibility does exists, so if you
should come across a bat do not handle it.
unique and not associated to rodents in any way, that scientists have put them in a
class all of their own "Chiroptera" meaning hand-wing. They are grouped alongside
primates and lemurs called Archonta.
ARE BATS BLIND? Absolutely not, they see every bit as good as we do. The fruit bat has
eyesight that is adapted to low-light, much like cats and some studies revealed that some see in
color. Therefore, the phrase "BLIND AS A BAT" is certainly a myth. However, most bats can
navigate at night using echolocation to more accurately locate their prey. Simply put, most bats
depend on their superbly developed echolocation (or sonar) system to navigate and capture
insects in the dark. Bats emit pulses of very high-frequency sound (inaudible to human ears) at a
rate of a few to 200 per second. By listening to the echoes reflected back to them, they can
discern objects in their path. Their echolocation ability is so acute they can avoid obstacles no
wider than a piece of thread and capture tiny flying insects, even in complete darkness.
BATS ARE THE ONLY TRUE FLYING MAMMAL : Bats are considered high-altitude flying
mammals, they have been recorded at 10,000 feet and can travel at speeds of 25 to 80 MPH.
BATS GET TANGLED IN PEOPLE'S HAIR ?: Another myth, on rare occasions bats may fly very
close to someone's face, that's because they are fixing to catch that mosquito that about to get
you, they do not get stuck in people's hair. That's because the bats ability to echolocate is so
acute that it can avoid obstacles no wider than a piece of thread.
ALL BATS CARRY RABIES! Again not true, facts are that less than ½ of 1% of bats carry the
rabies virus, far less than other animals. For one, bats are rarely aggressive towards people.
Statistics bear this out, as fewer than 40 people, in the United States, have been recorded as
contracting rabies from bats over the past 40 years. So in reality, your chances of being killed by
a dog attack, a lightning strike, a bee sting or a power lawn mower is far greater then by a bat.
But do remember, that bats are wild animals and as such, the possibility does exists, so if you
should come across a bat do not handle it.
Perhaps the most misunderstood animal today, the bat has proven to be an ally to us
for many years. Early records show that Bat Guano was used extensively, during the
Civil War, in the making of gun powder and in World War II an experiment was
conducted by the United States to use bats as a deliverer of bombs (click here for
more info). In the early 1900's bats were used in the fight against malaria (click here for
more info).
The vast number of bat species, 45 are found in the United States, feed almost
exclusively on insects, particularly the mosquito and moth, making them extremely
beneficial to us. A typical Mexican Free-Tailed bat can consume up to 1,200 mosquitoes
an hour.
Once again, the bat is being called upon to help us eradicate the West Nile Virus and
other mosquito-borne illnesses that threaten us today.
for many years. Early records show that Bat Guano was used extensively, during the
Civil War, in the making of gun powder and in World War II an experiment was
conducted by the United States to use bats as a deliverer of bombs (click here for
more info). In the early 1900's bats were used in the fight against malaria (click here for
more info).
The vast number of bat species, 45 are found in the United States, feed almost
exclusively on insects, particularly the mosquito and moth, making them extremely
beneficial to us. A typical Mexican Free-Tailed bat can consume up to 1,200 mosquitoes
an hour.
Once again, the bat is being called upon to help us eradicate the West Nile Virus and
other mosquito-borne illnesses that threaten us today.
| Many Myths and Tales have been made, at the expense of the bat, lets go over a few of them and give you some real facts. |
BATS SUCK YOUR BLOOD: By far the most famous
myth. There are only 3 species of bats that require blood
to survive, they are known as the vampire bats. These
amazing creatures are not found in the United States,
but rather in Mexico, Central America and South
America. Vampires feed on the blood of warm-blooded
animals such as birds, horses and cattle. Vampire bats
do not suck blood. The bats obtain blood by making a
small cut in the skin of a sleeping animal with their
razor-sharp teeth and then lapping up the blood as it
flows from the wound. There is an anticoagulant in the
bat's saliva that helps to prevent the animal's blood from
myth. There are only 3 species of bats that require blood
to survive, they are known as the vampire bats. These
amazing creatures are not found in the United States,
but rather in Mexico, Central America and South
America. Vampires feed on the blood of warm-blooded
animals such as birds, horses and cattle. Vampire bats
do not suck blood. The bats obtain blood by making a
small cut in the skin of a sleeping animal with their
razor-sharp teeth and then lapping up the blood as it
flows from the wound. There is an anticoagulant in the
bat's saliva that helps to prevent the animal's blood from
clotting until the bat has finished its meal. The bat's saliva also contains an anesthetic that
reduces the likelihood of the animal feeling the prick. Each bat requires only about two
tablespoons of blood every day, so the loss of blood to a prey animal is small and rarely
causes any harm.
reduces the likelihood of the animal feeling the prick. Each bat requires only about two
tablespoons of blood every day, so the loss of blood to a prey animal is small and rarely
causes any harm.
OF THE MORE THAN 1,000 SPECIES OF BATS IN THE WORLD, 45 ARE FOUND IN THE
UNITED STATES AND OF THOSE, 6 ARE LISTED ON THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST.
Click here to view the lists.
UNITED STATES AND OF THOSE, 6 ARE LISTED ON THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST.
Click here to view the lists.
While most United States bat species are insectivorous, bats in other parts of the world feed on a
variety of items in addition to insects. Many species feed primarily on fruit, while several types
feed on nectar and pollen. Fruit bats perform an extremely important function as seed
dispersers. Nectar eating bats, including the federally-listed endangered lesser long-nosed
(Leptonycteris curasoae yerbabuenae) and greater Mexican long-nosed bats (Leptonycteris
nivalis), are important pollinators. Many plant species depend almost entirely on bats for
pollination
variety of items in addition to insects. Many species feed primarily on fruit, while several types
feed on nectar and pollen. Fruit bats perform an extremely important function as seed
dispersers. Nectar eating bats, including the federally-listed endangered lesser long-nosed
(Leptonycteris curasoae yerbabuenae) and greater Mexican long-nosed bats (Leptonycteris
nivalis), are important pollinators. Many plant species depend almost entirely on bats for
pollination
BATS ARE ON THE DECLINE
Several animals, including owls, hawks, raccoons, skunks, and snakes prey on bats;
yet, relatively few animals consume bats as a regular part of their diet. Man seems to
be the only animal having significant impact on bat populations. Adverse human
impacts include habitat destruction, direct killing, vandalism, disturbance of
hibernating and maternity colonies, use of pesticides (on their food - insects), and
other chemical toxicants. Drastic reductions in bat populations have occurred during
recent years in the United States and worldwide.
Human disturbance to hibernation and maternity colonies is a major factor in the
decline of many bat species. Even well meaning individuals such as cavers and
biologists cause these disturbances. Hibernating bats arouse from hibernation when
disturbed by people entering their caves. When aroused, they use up precious winter
fat needed to support them until insects are again available in spring. A single arousal
probably costs a bat as much energy as it would normally expend in two to three weeks
of hibernation. Thus, if aroused often, hibernating bats may starve to death before
spring.
Disturbance to summer maternity colonies also is extremely detrimental. Maternity
colonies won't tolerate disturbance, especially when flightless newborn young are
present. Baby bats may be dropped to their deaths or abandoned by panicked parents
if disturbance occurs during this period.
In some parts of the world, especially in parts of Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands,
many bat species are used as food by humans. There is concern that many food
species may become extinct due to overharvest and lack of adequate management.
This is true not only for the larger "meatier" species such as fruit bats, but for smaller
bats as well.
The Frio Nature Conservancy, among other organizations (see links below) are
dedicated to the conservation of the bats.
Several animals, including owls, hawks, raccoons, skunks, and snakes prey on bats;
yet, relatively few animals consume bats as a regular part of their diet. Man seems to
be the only animal having significant impact on bat populations. Adverse human
impacts include habitat destruction, direct killing, vandalism, disturbance of
hibernating and maternity colonies, use of pesticides (on their food - insects), and
other chemical toxicants. Drastic reductions in bat populations have occurred during
recent years in the United States and worldwide.
Human disturbance to hibernation and maternity colonies is a major factor in the
decline of many bat species. Even well meaning individuals such as cavers and
biologists cause these disturbances. Hibernating bats arouse from hibernation when
disturbed by people entering their caves. When aroused, they use up precious winter
fat needed to support them until insects are again available in spring. A single arousal
probably costs a bat as much energy as it would normally expend in two to three weeks
of hibernation. Thus, if aroused often, hibernating bats may starve to death before
spring.
Disturbance to summer maternity colonies also is extremely detrimental. Maternity
colonies won't tolerate disturbance, especially when flightless newborn young are
present. Baby bats may be dropped to their deaths or abandoned by panicked parents
if disturbance occurs during this period.
In some parts of the world, especially in parts of Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands,
many bat species are used as food by humans. There is concern that many food
species may become extinct due to overharvest and lack of adequate management.
This is true not only for the larger "meatier" species such as fruit bats, but for smaller
bats as well.
The Frio Nature Conservancy, among other organizations (see links below) are
dedicated to the conservation of the bats.
Reproduction and Longevity. Most female bats produce only one offspring per year. Most
United States bats breed in autumn, and the females store sperm until the following spring when
fertilization takes place. The gestation period (pregnancy) lasts only a few weeks, and baby bats
are born in May or June. They develop rapidly, and most can learn to fly within two to five weeks
after birth. Bats live relatively long lives for animals of their small size, some as long as 30 years
Feeding. Insect-eating bats may either capture flying insects in their mouths or scoop them into
their tail or wing membranes. They then reach down and take the insect into their mouth. This
results in the erratic flight most people are familiar with when they observe bats flying around in
the late evening or around lights at night. Bats drink by skimming close to the surface of a body
of water and gulping an occasional mouthful.
Bats are primarily nocturnal, although many fly early in the evening, sometime before
sunset. Occasionally, especially on warm winter days, they are observed flying during
daylight hours.
United States bats breed in autumn, and the females store sperm until the following spring when
fertilization takes place. The gestation period (pregnancy) lasts only a few weeks, and baby bats
are born in May or June. They develop rapidly, and most can learn to fly within two to five weeks
after birth. Bats live relatively long lives for animals of their small size, some as long as 30 years
Feeding. Insect-eating bats may either capture flying insects in their mouths or scoop them into
their tail or wing membranes. They then reach down and take the insect into their mouth. This
results in the erratic flight most people are familiar with when they observe bats flying around in
the late evening or around lights at night. Bats drink by skimming close to the surface of a body
of water and gulping an occasional mouthful.
Bats are primarily nocturnal, although many fly early in the evening, sometime before
sunset. Occasionally, especially on warm winter days, they are observed flying during
daylight hours.
US Parks & Wildlife Service
click here or on the banner to visit
click here or on the banner to visit
There are many great organizations dedicated to
the conservation of bats, around the world, one
that we really believe deserves a special note for
the amazing work they do is:
the conservation of bats, around the world, one
that we really believe deserves a special note for
the amazing work they do is:
| click on their banner, to view a short video to learn more about bats and the work that is done at the sanctuary |
| Vampire Bat |
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