Bats are not birds. They are mammals, and they are the only ones that can fly. These nocturnal mammals play a crucial role in our ecosystem. International Bat Appreciation Day observed on 17 April is an occasion to celebrate this species and understand more about them. They help pollinate, seed dispersal, and pest control, making them keystone species. There are more than 1,400 bat species, and accounts for almost a fifth of all mammal species. Contrary to popular opinion, they aren’t blind. Despite their small size, some bats boast a remarkably long lifespan. Bats are understudied and misunderstood animals. Though they help keep the numbers of many pests down, science has proven they are disease carriers. The recent COVID-19 virus brought Bats into the spotlight. Bats also bring to our thoughts the well-known character in the movies, Batman. This fictional superhero, if not anything, made bats known to many, especially children.Â
The bat hanging upside down laughs at the topsy-turvy world.  Â
Japanese Proverb
Bats are not birds. They are mammals, and they are the only ones that can fly. These nocturnal mammals play a crucial role in our ecosystem. International Bat Appreciation Day is an occasion to celebrate this species and understand more about them. Bat Appreciation Day on 17 April is the initiative of “Bat Conservation International” to highlight the role that bats play in the environment and encourage people to take action to support their conservation. They are also known to interact with birds and other animals. They help pollinate, seed dispersal, and pest control, making them keystone species.
There are more than 1,400 bat species, and accounts for almost a fifth of all mammal species. “Flying Foxes” are the world’s most giant bats, with a wingspan of up to six feet. The typical “Vampire Bat” can fly up to 60 mph. Bats have a highly developed sense of smell when it comes to eating and will use the echolocation system to locate food.
Contrary to popular opinion, they aren’t blind. Despite their small size, some bats boast a remarkably long lifespan. In the wild, some bat species can live up to 40 years. Bats can see in the dark and use their extreme sense of hearing. Around 128 species, 39 genera, and nine families are known to be present in India.
The baby bat Screamed out in fright,
‘Turn on the dark, I’m afraid of the light.
Shel Silverstein
Bats eat fruit, nectar, insects and even blood depending on the species. They can also consume their body weight in insects in a single night. Vampire bats don’t suck blood. They open up a wound and lick the blood instead. ~70% of the bats are insectivores. They grow in different sizes. The biggest amongst them is the Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox Bat, with a wingspan of more than five feet. Looks can be deceptive. Bats are clean animals.
Bats are understudied and misunderstood animals. Though they help keep the numbers of many pests down, science has proven they are disease carriers. The recent COVID-19 virus brought Bats into the spotlight. Bats are natural reservoirs for a variety of viruses, including coronaviruses. Their immune systems allow them to coexist with these pathogens without falling ill. Due to Zoonotic Transmission, viruses spill over to other species, including humans. In the case of COVID-19, an intermediate host facilitated the jump from bats to humans. Bats could be the reason for the spread of MERS in Saudi Arabia, Ebola in Africa, and also a possible cause of the Nipah outbreak in Kerala,.
Bats are facing threats to their survival. According to Bat Conservation International, 22 are critically endangered, 86 are endangered, and 110 are vulnerable. In India, 35 species are critically endangered. As with many other species, the reasons that are challenging their survival are deforestation, mining, and irresponsible tourism. Invasive species present an additional threat through direct predation or outcompeting bats for resources.
We see then that the bat is a very wonderful creature,
one of Nature’s triumphs and masterpieces.
W. H. Hudson
Bats also bring to our thoughts the well-known character in the movies, Batman. This fictional superhero first appeared in 1939 and is a trendy character, if not anything, made bats known to many, especially children.
Toons: Reema
Logs: M. Sai Baba
ToonLogs
