Buzz
Bats are often misunderstood: They’d rather feast on insects than blood.Life as a bat isn’t simple. Thanks to Dracula, rare rabies cases, their sharp fangs, and their upside-down sleeping habits, bats often frighten people. However, these creatures are truly remarkable, despite their diet of insects . . . and occasionally blood.
1. Bats are the sole mammals capable of true flight. Forget the mythical winged marmoset! Bats excel in the skies with their thin wings, providing what’s known as "airfoil" in aviation terms. Their forward thrust is referred to as "propulsion."
2. One brown bat can consume up to 1,200 mosquitoes in just an hour. In Texas’s Bracken Cave, the 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats residing there devour approximately 200 tons of insects . . . every single night.
3. Vampire bats don’t suck blood. Instead, they gently lick it. Relax—only three species of vampire bats exist worldwide. If you’re in Central or South America, you might spot one biting a cow and lapping blood from the wound, but there’s no sucking involved.
4. Bats never have "fat days." Their metabolism is impressive—they can break down bananas, mangoes, and berries in roughly 20 minutes.
5. In the past 50 years, fewer than 10 people in North America have gotten rabies from bats. Despite what movies and TV suggest, bats aren’t disease-ridden monsters. They steer clear of humans. If a bat bites you, see a doctor, but don’t panic—you’ll likely be just fine.
6. Bats rely on echolocation to navigate in the dark. With poor eyesight and a nocturnal lifestyle, bats depend on sound rather than sight. They emit beeps and interpret the returning echoes to move around. Being active at night helps them hunt insects and avoid predators. While bats can see during the day, most of their activities happen under the cover of darkness.
Bats are simply misunderstood. As you’ll discover on the next page, they’re truly remarkable creatures.
Incredible Bat Facts, 7-13
After exploring our list of fascinating bat facts, your perspective on bats might completely change.
7. Bats account for 25% of all mammal species. That’s correct—one in four mammals is a bat. With over 1,100 species globally, bats are incredibly diverse.
8. Over half of U.S. bat species are either critically declining or endangered. It’s easy to take them for granted until they’re gone. Factors like industrialization, deforestation, pollution, and direct harm have devastated bat populations and their habitats. To learn how to help, reach out to your local conservation organization.
9. Feeling chilly? Snuggle up to a bat! In their chilly cave homes, bats stay warm by wrapping their wings around themselves, creating instant insulation by trapping air close to their bodies.
10. An anticoagulant in vampire bat saliva could revolutionize heart disease treatment. The substance that prevents blood from clotting in their prey also shows promise for human patients. Researchers worldwide are studying these enzymes to develop treatments for heart conditions and stroke prevention.
11. Bats typically give birth to just one pup annually. Unlike smaller mammals such as cats, rabbits, or rats, bats have significantly fewer offspring.
12. Bats often live longer than your pet dog. While lifespans vary, certain brown bat species can reach 30 years, far surpassing the two-year average of many small mammals.
13. Bats are meticulous groomers, even cleaning behind their ears. They dedicate hours to grooming themselves and each other, surpassing the hygiene habits of even the most self-conscious teenager.
Helen Davies, Marjorie Dorfman, Mary Fons, Deborah Hawkins, Martin Hintz, Linnea Lundgren, David Priess, Julia Clark Robinson, Paul Seaburn, Heidi Stevens, and Steve Theunissen
