Facts About Bats

All together there are almost 1000 different species of bats in the world, these are split into two main groups, these are Megachiroptera (Large Bat or magabats) and Microchiroptera (Small Bat or microbats). Bats live in caves, trees and buildings. A group of bats is known as a colony and a baby bat is known as a pup. Bats are mouse-like nocturnal flying mammals which were once known as flying or 'flitter' mice, and are the only mammals that are capable of controlled, self-propelled flight.

So, you’ve most likely heard the saying ‘As blind as a bat’... well this saying is misleading as all bats can actually see, however, they use a type of radar to locate objects. So if somebody says ‘I’m blind as a bat’ then there’s no need to worry because so are you!

Noctule bats fly before sunset, whereas Pipistrelles appear soon after sunset.

If a bat makes its way into your attic, garage or elsewhere in your house, the best thing to do is call an animal control company that will remove it safely and humanely to ensure the little critter ends up back in the outdoors where it belongs.

“Bats make high-frequency sounds, and the echoes of these sounds bounce back which enables a bat to make a mental map. Using this mental map they are able to avoid the smallest of obstacles whilst locating their prey. In just a split second Echlocation enables bats to determine the size of objects, their location, how fast they are travelling and even their texture!”

The reason why bats hang upside down when resting is because their limbs are unable to support their weight.

In the UK there are seventeen species of bats. All of these are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

During hibernation, bats slow down their heart rate, breathing and other body functions, to conserve energy.

In South America there are blood eating bats, called vampire bats, this is why bats are seen at Halloween... because they’re evil blood sucking creatures.