The seasons have changed, and warmer weather is on its way. Of course, with it comes a host of different creatures that can become an issue for property owners.
While there are many dangerous pests, some species are just looking for a quiet place to live and raise their young until the weather grows cold again. Bats are often-misunderstood flying mammals that are essential to our ecosystem; they also have a knack for roosting where they shouldn’t.
Unlike other nuisance creatures, bats are on the endangered species list – and they are a crucial part of our environment. Want to learn more? Here are some fun and interesting facts about bats.
It’s true! Their wings are comprised of a flexible skin membrane that extends between each finger and makes bats very agile.
Bats are nocturnal. Since they eat so many, they have an overabundance of chitin – which makes their poop sparkle.
Plus, their diet helps foresters and farmers protect their crops from pests
Without bats, we’d be missing out on many different plants we use daily: dates, vanilla, bananas, breadfruit, guavas, iroko timber, balsa wood, sisal, tequila and chewing gum.
They also help spread seeds for nuts, figs, and cacao.
Also, they usually have one baby at a time.
In the tropics, bats also eat fruit, flowers, frogs, fish, blood and other bats.
What’s more is there are over 1000 different bat species.
Some can have a wingspan of up to six feet while others that weigh less than a penny. There are about 45 different species in the US and Canada
They have small, sharp teeth that can pierce skin without the victim noticing. Vampire bats can carry rabies.
Additionally, they keep warm by wrapping their wings around them and trapping air against their bodies.
Pteropus bats (fruit bats) are the largest in the world. They can sometimes have a wingspan of up to six feet.
Bats can digest food like bananas, mangoes, and berries in about 20 minutes
Vampire bats are more likely to carry rabies.
This can be the cause of disease and habitation loss.
Some even groom each other. Cleaning helps control bat parasites.
The enzymes found in vampire bat saliva to treat heart conditions
80 medicines are made from plants that rely on bats. Their echolocation skill is helping develop navigational aids. Also, bat research is helping advance vaccines.
Some migrate to warmer weather
They are also breastfed. Mommy bats form nursery colonies in the spring. Bats also have a belly button!
Bats have few natural predators, such as owls, hawks, and snakes. White-nose syndrome is a white fungus that appears on the muzzle and wings of bats and ultimately kills them. White-nose syndrome has killed 6.5 million bats have died so far.
They can reach speeds over 100 miles per hour.
13 types of US bat are endangered, mainly because of habitat loss and disease. Because of recent conservation efforts, the long-nosed bat was removed from the endangered species list.
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