Squirrels at the Feeder

Due to their uncanny resemblance to rats and mice, bats are often presumed to be flying rodents, a misunderstanding that furthers the animals sour reputation of being a pest.

But, are bats really rodents? Are they even remotely related to Rodentia, the family of mammals that are classified as ‘rodents’?

No, bats are not rodents.  The difference between bats and rodents is based upon their dental structures. The teeth of rodents are highly specialized and have two key features not seen in bat teeth.  Let’s clear up some confusion about the subject while also helping to educate people about the true nature of Chiroptera (bats).

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There are more than 1,300 species of bats throughout the world. Many of them are threatened or endangered, yet they are all vitally important to the ecosystems in which they live. But, among all of the bats that exist, one in particular serves an especially important role—that bat is The Little Brown Bat.

Why is this ‘little’ bat such a big deal? Aren’t all bats the same, anyway? Not quite. As it turns out, The Little Brown Bat leads a fascinating life that is a crucial link in the overall food chain. In this article, we’ll be explaining why by examining this remarkable flying mammal, it’s behavior, roosting characteristics, and other features.

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When someone mentions the phrase ‘Vampire Bats’, images of Dracula and shrieking human victims might come to mind. Vampire Bats have been an especially spooky element in storytelling and modern culture for decades. What makes Vampire Bats even more intriguing is the fact that they actually exist.

So, what are these bloodthirsty animals all about, anyway? Where do they come from? How exactly do they go about feeding? In this article, we’ll be answering these questions and more, as we take a closer look at these hematophagous flying mammals.

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Perhaps you’ve heard that bat feces (also termed ‘bat guano’) can be harmful to humans. Or, maybe you’ve been told to stay away from caves or abandoned mines because of the dangerous accumulations of guano that can be present there.

Is there any truth based on these warnings? Are there really any good reasons to be afraid of bat poop? In this article, we’ll be revealing the facts related to human interaction with bat feces, and we’ll be squashing any rumors or non-truths along the way. And, we’ll be answering some of the most commonly asked questions related to this topic in our ‘Bat Poop FAQ’.

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Bats are known for their zig-zagged, often erratic-looking flight paths. They can sometimes seem a little ADD as they dart here and there, constantly shifting their focus from one meal to the next (many bats are insectivores, eating flying insects right out of the air). But, because bats are often sighted in the evening or dusk hours, it’s not always easy to get a good read on them.

The nocturnal behavior bats exhibit can prompt some to wonder: “Do bats fly during the day?”. In this article, we’ll be answering this question head-on, and we’ll be exploring the many reasons by bats take flight at all. And, we’ll be answering some related questions in our ‘Bat Flight FAQ’ located towards the end.

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If you’ve ever happened upon a bat—whether in flight or while it’s hanging out in its roost—you might have been a little spooked. The reason is understandable: A lot of people are afraid of bats as bats have developed a bit of a sour reputation, a reputation that hasn’t been helped by Hollywood, horror films, and rumors about bats swooping down from the sky and biting humans.

Let’s take a look at the question, “Do Bats Bite Humans?” and learn the facts about this subject.

Yes, bats do bite humans and getting bitten or scratched by a bat is something that everyone is right to be afraid of, but not because it happens all the time. In this article, we’ll be looking at the real statistics related to bat bites in the United States, and we’ll be shedding some light on some non-truths related to this topic.

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Bats come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are barely even perceptible as they dart here and there, using the cover of night to add stealth to their nocturnal activities. You may think that all bats are about the size of a small bird, but the real sizes of some of the world’s bats might surprise you.

In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the types of bats that exist on the extreme ends of the size spectrum. We’ll start with the smallest bats on record, and then we’ll move on to the “Grandfather” of colossal bats—a truly magnificent creature that will take your breath away!

Also, we’ll be working to disprove some of the more common misconceptions about bats, namely, that they all carry rabies or that they suck blood from human victims. It’s our goal that, by the end of this article, you’ll know more about bats and might even be able to impress your friends with some of your newly discovered bat facts.

The Smallest Bat In The World

Throughout the world, people love fawning over cute animals. In the case of bats, the argument could be made that the smaller the bat, the cuter it is. If this is true, then when it comes to the Kitti’s Hog-Nosed Bat, we’ve got the cuteness market cornered.

This teensy-weensy bat measures a scant 1.1-1.3 inches in length, and it rarely grows to weigh more than a mere 2 grams. For comparison, two grams is exactly the weight of two US pennies. That’s small!

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