Shrouded in mystery and often misunderstood, bats are frequently portrayed as blood-thirsty monsters, but the truth is much more fascinating. Whether they roost in caves or buildings, they are vital to healthy ecosystems – pollinating plants, dispersing seeds, and controlling insects that spread disease.
There are around 1,400 bat species, divided into microbats and megabats. Insect-eating microbats use echolocation to navigate the dark, emitting high-pitched clicks and listening for echoes. Megabats, like the flying foxes, have a wingspan of up to two metres, and are found throughout the warmer parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Ignore the myths - far from fearsome, bats are intelligent, social creatures. Whether replanting forests or controlling pests, they’re nature’s unsung heroes.
