For better or worse, it seems everyone has an opinion on bats in Omaha. Those that like these flying creatures argue that if you don’t like them, you do not know enough about them.
At CP Bat Mitigation, we know all about bats. We know that they are an essential part of our ecosystem and play a vital role in agriculture. Bats are not the scary, flying monsters that movies and stories portray them to be. If you are concerned about bats near your home, give us a call. We have the experience needed to deal with bats safely and humanely.
However, if you have ever wondered about things like what a bat eats or whether bats are really blind, we have some interesting facts for you. Grab some friends or fellow bat enthusiasts and test your bat knowledge.
Bat Trivia
If you are looking for another unique resource about bats and bat facts, check out this page. Created with teachers in mind, it has some creative games and quizzes that make for informative trivia, as well.
Physical Trivia
- Many people know that bats eat mosquitoes, but do you know how many mosquitoes a single mouse-eared bat eats in one hour? Answer: One mouse-eared bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour.
- What is the lifespan of a mouse-eared bat? Answer: The mouse-eared bat can live for nearly 40 years, one of the longest life spans for a mammal its size.
- How many pups does a mother bat have each year? Answer: A bat typically has only one pup each year, which is why they are such a vulnerable species.
- Are bats blind or visually impaired? Answer: Bats have excellent eyesight, contrary to popular belief.
- How low can a red bat’s body temperature go during winter hibernation? Answer: A red bat, which resides in forests in North America, can handle body temperatures as cold as 23 degrees while hibernating in the winter months.
- What does a bat eat? Answer: Most bats eat mosquitoes and other insects, and are known as insectivores. However, some bat species eat fruit, pollen, fish, frogs, lizards, and other bats.
- Do bats drink blood? Answer: Only three species of bats drink blood and are considered vampire bats. They mainly live in Central and South America and drink the blood of cows, sheep, and horses.
- What do bats use to fly? Answer: Bats use a combination of echolocation and eyesight to fly and catch their prey.
- What is echolocation? Answer: In echolocation, the bat emits a series of beeps or chirps. The bat will interpret the variations of the echoes to figure out where things are.
- How do bats fly? Answer: Bats use propulsion to fly, meaning they almost make a swimming motion similar to the breaststroke. Bats pull themselves through the air rather than flap their wings.
- Where do bats prefer to roost? Answer: In general, bats roost in caves or other drafty areas like attics or barns.
Social Trivia
- How many species of bats are there in the world? Answer: There are more than 1,200 species of bats known to man, making up around 25% of mammal species.
- What is the tiniest bat in the world? Answer: The smallest bat in the world is the bumblebee bat, found in Thailand. It weighs about as much as a dime and is critically endangered.
- What is the biggest bat in the world? Answer: The largest bat in the world is the flying fox bat. It is native to Indonesia and has a wingspan of almost six feet.
- Which bat is entirely immune to the stings of scorpions and centipedes? Answer: The pallid bat, which lives in western North America, is immune to these stings since scorpions and centipedes are its primary food source.
- Where is the world’s biggest bat colony? Answer: The largest colony of bats in the world is in Bracken Cave in Texas. It is home to 30 million bats which eat 25 tons of bugs and insects each night in the summer.
- What is the most widely dispersed bat in the Western Hemisphere? Answer: The hoary bat has the most extensive range and territory. It can be found from the northern part of Canada as far south as South America. A subspecies of the hoary bat lives in Hawaii, as well.
- How are vampire bats used to treat human illnesses? Answer: Scientists have derived an anticoagulant from the saliva of vampire bats and use it to treat heart patients and victims of stroke.
- What percent of American bats are endangered? Answer: Almost 40% of bat species in America have an endangered or threatened status.
- How does a Honduran white bat protect itself and colony from jungle rains? Answer: This white bat with a yellow nose and ears manipulates large leaves and makes them into tents so the rain will not endanger the colony.
- How do bats that eat frogs differentiate between safe and poisonous frogs? Answer: These bats listen to the mating calls of the male frogs and can discern dangerous from safe by the sounds they make.
- What other types of mammals can fly besides bats? Answer: No other species of mammals can fly. A few species of mammals, mainly squirrels and lemurs, can glide but are unable to fly on their own accord.
- How long have bats been in existence? Answer: Bats have been around for more than 50 million years.
- Are bats dangerous? Answer: No, bats are not harmful to humans. Only ten humans have contracted rabies from bats in the last 50 years. Bats avoid humans and are incredibly beneficial to us.
Call CP Bat Mitigation Today
While bats are not dangerous, they can be a bit annoying. If you think you might have bats in or near your home, give the professionals at CP Bat Mitigation a call. They have years of experience humanely removing bats from residences and businesses throughout South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota.
If you have kids who want to learn more about bats, check out our other pages with bat facts, bat snacks, and bat crafts. The more you know, the less scary they are. Everyone needs to help protect these remarkable creatures.