Bat
The night's unsung gardener
Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight and are among the most ecologically important animals on Earth. A single bat can eat thousands of mosquitoes in a single night.
Friendly fact
Mother bats can find their pup among millions of others in a roost using only the unique call of their own baby — like recognizing your child's voice in a crowd.
Fascinating facts
- 1
A single little brown bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes per hour.
- 2
Bats pollinate over 500 plant species, including bananas, mangoes, and agave (the source of tequila).
- 3
Bats have echolocation so precise they can detect objects thinner than a human hair in complete darkness.
- 4
Bats are the second-largest order of mammals, comprising about 20% of all mammal species.
- 5
Most bat species are extremely long-lived for their size — some live over 40 years.
Myth vs. Reality
Myth
Bats will fly into your hair.
Reality
Bats have sophisticated echolocation and are perfectly aware of your head. They are hunting the insects hovering around you, not your hair.
Myth
All bats have rabies.
Reality
Less than 1% of bats carry rabies, and those that do become disoriented and die quickly. A healthy bat you see at night is almost certainly not rabid.
Myth
Bats are blind.
Reality
Bats can see quite well, and use echolocation as an additional sense, not a replacement for sight.