Among mammals, bats may be the most feared due to superstitions and the fact that some feed on blood. However, it is a species that is also known as chiropterans and that carry out a mainly nocturnal life. Discover 7 incredible facts that you may not have known about these peculiar flying creatures.
Not without first remembering that all creatures, whether mammals or any other species, must be preserved. This will prevent species from ever reaching the brink of extinction, as is the case with many animals today.
How much do you know about these mammals?
Until now, some 1,300 species of bats or bats have been discovered throughout the six continents. Being Indonesia, the place with the largest number of species, with approximately 219. The number of these mammals is so large that they represent at least a fifth of the entire population of mammals on the entire planet.
These are really incredible animals, beyond all the legends and myths that have surrounded these small mammals for several centuries. These creatures have always been considered nocturnal “bloodsuckers” and carriers of deadly diseases.
However, bats are the main responsible for disseminating a large number of seeds. Furthermore, they are the perfect mammals when it comes to the control of certain undesirable pests. As if that were not enough, they are also essential for the pollination of hundreds of plants.
In fact, bats are known to be key pollinators in much of the world. Since the growth of many fruit and vegetable plants, bats are needed to spread to various places. Besides, compared to rodents, bats transmit fewer infectious diseases.
Also, these small mammals are classified into two types: megabats or Pteropodidae and microbats or Microchiroptera. In the case of the former, we must highlight the flying foxes, which are considered the largest bats in the world.
Now, we already know some of the most important facts about this species, but that’s not all. It’s time to discover the 7 most incredible curiosities of these placental mammals.
1- They are the only mammals capable of flying
That’s right, bats are the only mammals that have the ability to fly and they do it quite well. Its flight is real and not like other species such as flying squirrels or colugos, which can only glide.
Bats’ wings are actually their own forelimbs, which they can wave like a hand. In fact, the limb bones of these creatures are of the same type as humans.
The difference is that the bones of the “hand” are more elongated and in turn, a membrane known as “patagio” extends from the hands to the legs. As a curious fact, the name Chiroptera means “wings on the hands”.
2- They use echolocation to orient themselves and feed
In addition to flying, another of the bats’ abilities is the ability to use echolocation. It is a technique in which the creature emits high-frequency sounds that allow it to identify anything that is nearby. That is, ultrasound works in the same way as the probes of submarines and ships.
Without a doubt, this is an impressive ability, since it allows him to move perfectly anywhere, including dark caves. In addition, echolocation is essential for those bats that feed on other animals such as insects. In the same way, high-frequency sounds are essential to know where the fruits they need to feed are located.
Although it is believed that these flying mammals are blind, the truth is that it is only an absurd myth. All bats can see, albeit in a rather reduced way. However, they prefer to use echolocation, since they are nocturnal creatures, therefore they need to “see” in the dark.
3- Its diet is omnivorous
Although its diet is normally omnivorous, it all depends on the species of bat. Since some have a single diet, such as those who eat only fruit. There are also others that prefer to consume the nectar of flowers, which they suck through their tongues.
There are even bats whose main diet is based on insects, rodents, fish, amphibians and other smaller mammals. Likewise, a few species need blood to be able to nourish themselves, these are known as hematophagous. This species has very sharp fangs that it uses to pierce the skin of other animals and thus drink the blood directly.
But you don’t have to worry, they don’t usually bite humans to suck their blood, as many think. However, it is always good to be forewarned and avoid sleeping outdoors in the presence of hematophagous bats.
4- They can live for long years
According to studies, the lifespan of a bat can reach 30 years, which means that they are very enduring mammals. However, today it is very difficult for these flying creatures to last that long, since many are close to the limit of extinction.
As well as being very long-lived, bats can also fly really fast. Among its different species, the Mexican tailless bat is known for being able to reach 160 kilometers per hour. Which makes it one of the fastest mammals on the entire planet.
5- They can only have one offspring
One of the reasons why many of the species of these placental mammals are on the verge of extinction is due to their reproduction. These are creatures whose process to reproduce is extremely slow.
In fact, they are the animals that take the longest time to have their young and what is worse, for the most part, a single offspring is born each year. The process of gestation of the offspring takes between 40 days to six months approximately.
The birth of two pups is a very rare case and even very unlikely to occur. So each time, bats become more prone to the extension of their species.
6- Their excrement is highly valued as fertilizer
The excrement of these flying mammals is known as guano and is one of the richest fertilizer products on the entire planet. Bat “residues” may even have achieved glory at the time, commercially speaking.
However, today it is used for a great ecological option to fertilize barren soils. But that’s not all, the droppings also serve as nematicides, fungicides, compost activator and soil purifier.
When these little creatures feed on insects, the quality of the guano increases significantly, due to its nitrogen content. In contrast, when their basic diet revolves around fruits, guano becomes rich in phosphorus.
Therefore, the quality of the guano will depend on the type of feeding of the bats. In this way, it will be easier to know how and where to use it.
7- They are very important for ecosystems
A large part of the planet’s ecosystems depend on bats or bats to survive. Ecosystems that are not only important for humans, but also for other animal species.
Bats are essential for many species of fruit plants, vegetables and large trees to exist. This process is carried out through the dissemination and germination of the seeds that contain the fruits on which they feed.
In other words, these creatures are capable of fertilizing seeds through their digestive tract. Once they excrete it and fall to the ground, the seed is ready to begin its development process.
This process would be practically impossible without the help of these flying mammals that also keep pests under control. Many species of bats eat certain insects that, for the agricultural sector, are considered an unwanted pest.
Keep in mind that there are many pests that affect thousands of hectares of crops every year. What stops their development and makes it very difficult for them to grow properly.
Also, the help of bats prevents farmers from having to opt for the use of insecticide products to care for their crops. Which, in turn, is very beneficial for the planet, since it reduces pollution and generates positive changes in the face of climate change.
Sources: Nature, Very Interesting, Explain to me.