Jul 22, 2024
With over 1,300 species, bats are the second most common group of mammals, trailing only rodents. They make up about a fifth of all mammal species on Earth, highlighting their significant presence and diversity within the animal kingdom.
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Bats are nearly ubiquitous, found in every habitat except polar regions, extreme deserts, and a few isolated islands. They thrive in diverse environments, from tropical rainforests to grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands, showcasing their adaptability across the globe.
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Some bats weigh less than a penny, while others boast an impressive 1.8m wingspan. The largest species, known as megabats, reside in tropical regions. They hang in trees and feed on fruit, nectar and pollen, illustrating the wide range of sizes and habitats among bats.
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Bats sleep hanging upside-down in safe spots like dark caves, tree hollows, or old building roofs. This unique sleeping strategy helps them escape predators quickly by dropping straight into flight. This clever adaptation ensures their safety while resting.
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Most bats use sound to 'see' their surroundings through echolocation. They emit sound waves from their mouths or noses, which bounce back to their ears, helping them build a picture of their environment. This allows bats to detect obstacles and locate prey like juicy insects.
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Ancient civilisations, like the Aztecs, worshipped bat-like gods. One such deity was Mictlāntēcuhtli, the principal God of the Dead, who had a scrunched, bat-like face and clawed hands and feet. This highlights the cultural significance of bats in ancient mythologies.
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The scientific name for bats, Chiroptera, means ‘hand wing’. Their wings are a thin layer of skin stretched between four long fingers and a thumb. This structure is surprisingly similar to a human hand or a crocodile’s foot, showcasing an intriguing evolutionary adaptation.
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Vampire bats are real, with three species known for their blood-drinking habits. However, they typically feed on livestock such as cattle and horses, and attacks on humans are rare. These bats hunt at night in Mexico and other Central and South American countries.
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In flight, bats' hearts beat an astonishing 1,000 times a minute. Some species consume up to 1,200 mosquitoes an hour during their nightly hunts. With such intense feeding activity, their bodies work at full throttle to keep up with their busy schedule.
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Bats play a crucial role for people and the planet as pollinators, similar to bees and butterflies. Hundreds of plant species, including bananas, avocados, and mangos, rely on bats for pollination. They also help disperse seeds through their droppings, aiding in new tree growth.
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