Bats are our only flying mammals. They don’t suck your blood, land in your hair (and rarely give anyone rabies – the only people at risk are bat rescuers who are aware, and wear gloves). Bats are not blind, but don’t have good eyesight. So they navigate by echo-location, which is a pretty cool thing to do.
In the UK, all bats eat only insects (our common pipistrelle bat (which weighs less than a £1 coin) goes through an enormous amount of insects each night. Only 2 species sleep upside down (the rest sleep tucked away in crevices). The 18 species of bats in England are one of just three of hibernating mammals (with dormice and hedgehogs). Bats often hibernate in attics or caves (churches can get free advice if bats have taken up residence).
how to help our bat friends
- In the UK, all species eat insects/spiders, so night-scented plants are good to attract insects at night, which is what bats eat. Don’t plant in gardens with natural predators (like cats). And learn toxic flowers to avoid near pets.
- Bat Conservation Trust has lots of free help on their website, by experts who are literally batty about bats! Find out what to do if you have bats living nearby, how to maintain gardens for good bat habitats, and help with building work and the law, if bats have taken up residence.
- If you need any help with an issue, call National Bat Helpline for expert advice. For injured bats, you could also call your local wildlife ambulance.
building a bat box?
Bat Conservation Trust has guidance on how to go about this. Most wooden bat boxes have a grooved ‘bat ladder’ with predator-proof bottom entrance, and should be placed for constant temperature and humidity (bats don’t like draughts) with rough-textured wood to cling to. Do not treat the box with chemicals, and once installed, you cannot open it, without a license.
They recommend placing several bat boxes facing different directions (sheltered from strong winds and exposed to sun for part of the day – usually south, southeast or southwest). The boxes should be high enough to protect from cats and nearby structures (at least 4m above ground, where safe) and close to building eaves (bats use dark tree lines or hedgerows to navigate.Also site away from artificial light pollution, to protect from predators. It may be months or years before they arrive, so be patient! Local bat volunteers may be able to help with advice and installation if you ask.
brilliant books about bats!
- Fiona the Fruit Bat is a picture book about bat echolocation, designed to inform young people about the wonderful world of bats, and how to help them. This sweet and fun book for children ages 3 to 7 is written by a scientist, who works with bats every day. This book explores the fascinating science behind echolocation (and has backmatter pages with information on fruit bats). There is also a comforting message, on not being scared of the dark.
- Flying Blind is a book by writing professor Don Mitchell, was was approached by a US biologist to track endangered bats on his farm. At first thinking of them as ‘flying rats’, he soon changed his mind and even persuaded neighbours to join him on nightly meditations.
- Bat Citizens is by animal welfare campaigner Rob Laidlaw, who always writes good books for children: educational and fun. In this book, he persuades youngsters to become ‘bat citizens’ and get involved with conservation projects around the world. Teaching of their habits and habitats with a bit of bat biology thrown in, this book will enthral the most nervous reader!
Daubenton’s Bats are also called our ‘water bats’. They live near fenlands and wetlands, and can be seen skimming the surface for insects at night. They eat up a lot of our midges, scooping them up with their feet and tail. In the wild they can live over 20 years.
Trust in your senses. Don’t be afraid of the dark. Get a grip. Enjoy the nightlife. Advice from a Bat (courtesy of Your True Nature)
