Bats: The Only Flying Mammal

Study Notes

The United Nations declared 2011-2012 as the Year of the Bat to strengthen efforts for protecting the world's only flying mammal.
There are over 1,200 bat species found in various parts of the world, including cities, deserts, grasslands, and forests.
The smallest bat in the world is the Bumblebee bat from Southeast Asia, measuring only 30mm in length.
The largest bat is the Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox, with a wingspan of 1.5 meters.

Most bats eat insects, but some feed on fruit or nectar from flowers.
Bats are not blind; many species have good sight and use echolocation to communicate and navigate.
Echolocation involves producing high-frequency noises and estimating distances using sound echoes.

Bats are important for agriculture and the environment, helping to pollinate plants, spread seeds, and control insects.
A single brown bat can eat over 1,000 insects the size of a mosquito in one hour, saving American farmers billions of dollars annually.
Despite their benefits, bats are feared and misunderstood, often linked to death, darkness, and vampires due to their nocturnal nature and three species that feed on blood.

Over one-fifth of all bat species are under threat due to disease and human destruction of their natural environments.
White-nose syndrome, a disease affecting bats in the eastern United States, has killed over a million bats since 2006 and spread to 19 other states and parts of Canada.
The disease causes bats to awaken more often during hibernation, leading to starvation or freezing to death.
Organizations like Bat World NOVA are working to protect bats, educate people about their importance, and care for injured and orphaned bats.