With so many horror movies portraying them as rabies-infested monsters, it's no wonder bats have received such a bad reputation.
Most people associate bats with vampires and sucking blood, but the truth of the matter is that bats are actually harmless animals who play a big role in several ecosystems.
Without bats, we would have an overwhelming number of pesky bugs, fewer fragrant flowers, and significantly fewer mammals — but instead of thanking bats for all their hard work, we continue to fear them for no reason!
On the inside, bats are adorable creatures who just want to be cuddled and bottle-fed. These severely misunderstood animals are no different from the dogs and cats we keep in our homes as pets — but unlike dogs and cats, we shun bats for supposedly being aggressive and spreading disease.
Instead of believing everything you see in movies about bats, it's important to learn about what these animals actually do for the planet. After reading these nine facts below, you may just find yourself falling in love with these adorable creatures!
Don't forget to SHARE this list on Facebook so your friends can learn how harmless bats are, too!
Thumbnail Photo: Instagram / @ausbatclinic
1. They're Adorable
It's a proven fact (according to me) that bats are adorable. I mean, just look at that little baby wrapped in a blanket. Does she look like she wants to cause you harm? She is begging to be loved!
2. They're The Only Mammal That Can Fly
Not only are bats cute, but they are the only mammals that can fly (and no, flying squirrels don't count).
3. They See With Their Ears
Yes, you read that correctly.
Several species of bats use echolocation as a navigation system to locate prey and scout their surroundings, not unlike when someone yells at the edge of a canyon and it echoes back.
Thankfully, the bat's calls are at a frequency that is too high for a human to hear, so you don't have to worry about running into a screaming bat anytime soon!
4. They Kill Pesky Bugs
Almost 70% of all bat species feed exclusively on insects, making them an ideal source of pest control.
In just one hour, a bat can consume up to 1,000 insects — talk about efficient!
5. Female Bats Control The Timing Of Their Pregnancy
Female bats can control almost every aspect of their pregnancy, from fertilization to implantation. Female bats time their pregnancies to coincide with the seasons, meaning lots of fruits and insects to eat.
6. They Groom Themselves
Like cats, bats are extremely self-sufficient and groom themselves frequently to maintain their soft fur!
7. They Rarely Bite
Bats are often portrayed as bloodsucking, rabies-transmitting monsters, but in truth, bats only bite when provoked and less than 0.5% of bats are estimated to carry rabies.
That being said, if you do encounter a bat in your house, avoid touching it with your bare hands! Because bats groom themselves, a rabid bat can spread rabies via the saliva on their fur, though this is very uncommon.
8. Vampire Bats Don't Suck Blood
No, a vampire bat isn't going to latch on to you and suck up your blood. In fact, not only do vampire bats not drink human blood, but they don't drink blood straight from their prey, either.
Vampire bats use special heat sensors to find and cut their prey's veins. Once the blood flows out of their victim, the vampire bat will drink up whatever comes out.
Amazingly, vampire bats have a chemical in their saliva that numbs their victim's skin, so they can drink their prey's blood without their victim ever knowing.
9. Bats Help Pollinate Over 300 Species Of Fruit
Over 300 species of fruit — including bananas, avocados, mangoes, and figs — depend on bats for pollination. Several species of bats in Africa, Asia, and America migrate every year, and with them they bring faces full of pollen and seeds.
Did any of these facts about bats surprise you? Make sure to SHARE this list with your friends on Facebook!
