Since I've been discussing different sleeping patterns and the functioning of consciousness, I figured I'd revolve this new blog around an animal that has rather odd patterns of sleep and has very many interesting facts about them. What animal is the ONLY mammal that can sustain flight? What mammal has over 1100 species worldwide and counts for 20% of the entire mammal classification? Give up? It is.... the Bat!
The Bat is a very sophisticated, complex, terrestrial animal. Most are insectivores or frugivores, with very little amount being carnivorous. A lot of species of bats help with pollination and seed distribution, actually, many tropical plants wouldn't survive without the help of Bats. As for the species that live as carnivores, only two are known to feed on blood (& other bats), and they are specified as Spectral Bat, also called the American False Vampire bat (for all you Twilight Fans out there), and the Ghost Bat of Australia.
As for the behavior of bats, most are only active at night or twilight. Some migrate during the winter because warm weather permits better insect scent. Bats rarely fly in the rain because the rain interferes with their ability to hear (sonar). Bats are also known to be natural reservoirs for disease and rabies. Many people are afraid of bats, and this is for good reason because bats also may carry airborn diseases and have such small teeth, that a bite from one may not even be felt.
Bats are usually seen in large groups (sometimes even hundred thousands),but despite their large population the Bat species is declining as time goes on. Usually only one bat is born to one mother and the birth rate is very slow in moderation with the high death rate. There are many conservation programs to protect the different Bat species.
Here is a link to a list of all the many different types of Bats:
http://www.42explore.com/bats2.htm
Well, stay tuned in next post for a look into the life of a very different animal.
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