Anomalous nature of Bats

The only flying mammal with mysterious characters. We know that bats are blind, but only the smaller species of bats use echolocation as their main means of orienting themselves. Bigger bats can see better than humans. Sight is a blessing and a curse for them because sight can override echolocation signals. For instance, a bat may fly into a window because it sees light outside, even if echolocation tells it, the surface is solid.

Why bats hang upside-down?

Unlike birds, bats have trouble with take-offs from the ground. Their wings are not as strong as those of birds and they cannot run fast enough to build up flight speed. Bats have an easier time flying when they start already in the air. They use their front claws on their wings to climb to a high spot and launch themselves to achieve flight.

Another reason they hang upside down is that a bat’s talons or back claws work opposite of most muscles. In fact, their knees face backwards. When they relax, special tendons lock the toes and talons in place, so they do not exert energy while hanging. Once their toes and legs are locked in place, their body weight and gravity keep them hanging. By flexing leg muscles, the toes and talons release, and flight begins.

The bat’s compact and small size allows its heart to easily distribute the small volume of blood even when upside down.

Because of their unique physical abilities, bats can safely roost in places where predators cannot get them. To sleep, bats hang themselves upside down in a cave or hollow tree, with their wings draped around their bodies like cloaks. They hang upside down to hibernate and even upon death.

Bats help in pollination:

Over 300 species of fruit depend on bats for pollination. Bats help spread seeds for nuts, figs, and cacao-the main ingredient in chocolate. Without bats, we also would not have plants like agave or the iconic saguaro cactus.

These characters make them unique from all the species. Nature creates the Earth for all living organisms. So live and let live.

Credits: Sabitha

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