What are some myths about bats?

Answer 1

There are many misconceptions and Myths about bats. Here are a few: "All Bats have Rabies" - This is among the most common statements about bats. It is however, completely unfounded. In actual fact less that 0.5% of the entire bat population of the world carry the Rabies virus. Bats that do have the Rabies virus are not aggressive. Fewer that 40 people across the US are known to have been infected with Rabies from contact with a bat during the past 40 years. A person is far more likely to be killed by a lightning strike, dog attack, or even a bee sting, that from Rabies from a bat. However, Rabies is a dangerous disease, so contact with bats or any wild animal should be avoided. "Bats get Tangled in peoples' Hair" - Again this is a common fear about bats and a common misconception. Bats use an ability called echolocate to determine obstacles in their path. This echolocate is so acute that a bat can manoeuvre within a millimetre of any object while flying. Although bats may occasionally fly very close to a person's face while hunting for insects, they do not get stuck in the hair. "Bats will Suck your Blood" - By far the most famous bat in the world is the vampire bat. This species has a close association with vampires and mythological stories. The real Vampire Bats are found in Mexico and do feed on the blood of warm blooded animals, such as cattle, horses, or birds. The vampire bat does not actually like the taste of human blood and much prefer other warm blooded animals instead. The vampire bat is one of the only species of bat that feeds on blood. They do not, however, suck this blood. Instead, the bat makes a small cut in the skin of a sleeping animal with their sharp teeth. The bat's saliva has an aesthetic in it that reduces the likelihood of the animal feeling the insertion. They then lap the blood up as it flows from the fresh wound. There is a special anticoagulant contained in the bats saliva that prevents their victim's blood from clotting until the bat has finished its meal. The bat only needs about two teaspoons of blood a day, so the blood loss is minimal and rarely causes any harm to their victim. "Bats are rodents" - Although bats may resemble rodents in many ways, they are in fact mammals. "Bats are Blind" - Bats are not blind! get the picture! Get a life!

"Bats do Nothing for Humans" - This one stems mainly from fear. Bats, however are vital to the ecosystem and are very successful predators. A single bat can eat up to 3000 insects in one night. If bats were to go extinct, just think how over run with bugs the world would be! An average sized colony can eat up to half a million insects every night. This reduces the about of insects, such as mosquitoes, that carry harmful diseases, like yellow fever or malaria.

Answer 2

Some myths about bats include that they are blind (they can see, although some species rely more on echolocation), they get caught in people's hair (rarely happens), and they are all blood-sucking vampires (only a few out of over 1,400 species feed on blood).