DON'T YOU BELIEVE IT!
The greatest harm to bats is not knowing
anything about them , and this creates:
FEARS
DISLIKES
DESTRUCTION
AND POSSIBLE EXTINCTION OF BATS
This is caused
by
MYTHS
or untrue stories!
SO, LET'S STAMP OUT
MYTHS!
ARE BATS BLIND?
NO!
No, bats are not blind and many can see very well. Insect-eating bats
depend on sound and very good hearing to find food and to get around in the
dark. So don't say, "...as blind as a bat" because it is not
true!
DO BATS GET CAUGHT IN YOUR
HAIR?
NO!
If bats can find tiny insects in total darkness, would they
get tangled up in your hair? No! They are much too smart to fly
into people.
BATS ARE FLYING MICE,
RIGHT?
NO!
While both bats and mice are mammals, bats are not rodents and are more
closely related to primates and people. Besides...mice can't
fly!
ARE BATS DIRTY AND DO THEY ALL CARRY
RABIES?
NO!
Bats are very clean and groom themselves just like cats.
Bats can get rabies, like all mammals, but few ever do. Remember,
bats are wild animals. You have nothing to fear if you never touch
a bat.
OTHER MAMMALS CAN FLY LIKE BATS,
RIGHT?
NO!
Some mammals, like the flying squirrels can glide, but bats are
the only mammals that can really fly. There are
many different ways bats fly. Some can hover like hummingbirds while
feeding on nectar, and a few flying foxes can soar in the air like
eagles.
BATS ARE WORTHLESS
ANIMALS.
NO!
Bats are very, very helpful! They help control the insect population,
reseed cut forests, and pollinate plants that provide food for humans.
Bats also taught us about sonar. Bacteria in their guano is useful
in improving soaps, making gasohol and producing antibiotics, besides being
a fertilizer.
Here is information that is true, not a myth. Bats are wild animals
and we should leave them alone; never touch them or pick them
up.
Where They Live
Kinds of Homes
Foods They Eat
What They Look Like
How They Help Humans
Myths
Are They Birds?
Help Save Bats
How Echolocation Works
Games
Big
Quiz Classroom
Programs
Books
Other Bat Links
Contact Us
Main Page