Squirrels at the Feeder

Backyard Critters and Projects

Is Bat Poop Dangerous?

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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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Do Bats Fly During The Day?

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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.

Do Bats Fly During The Day

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Do Bats Carry Diseases? You Betcha!

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With as nimble and mobile as they are, one thing is for sure: bats get around. Not only are bats notable for flying long distances to migrate, they also spend large swaths of time packed close together with other members of their colony, in their preferred cave, abandoned building, or other roost.

Because of their close proximity to each other, it’s not surprising that bats transmit some communicable diseases among themselves. And, because bats are mammals, they are prone to rabies infections. But, rabies isn’t the only bat-borne disease that poses a danger to humans—in this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the variety of diseases bats are known to carry, and we’ll be dispelling some myths related to the topic.

Do Bats Carry Diseases

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Do Bats Bite Humans? Yes, But They Would Much Rather Leave Us Alone!

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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.

Do Bats Bite Humans

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What Do Bats Eat

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Bats are some of the most populous animals on the planet, and they live on every continent except the arctics. They’ve also been around for a very, very long time, dating back as far as 52 million years ago. For as pervasive and long-lived as bats are, it makes sense to ask the question, “What do bats eat?”.

In this article, we’ll be answering this question by examining the dietary preferences of some of the most common bats while also revealing some interesting facts about this fascinating animal.

What Do Bats Eat

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Where Do Bats Live

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Bats are as fascinating as they are elusive. These flying mammals are masters of stealth, and they’re rarely detected because of their preference for nocturnal activities. But, as quick and as adept at flying as bats are, they have to sleep somewhere. So, where is it that bats go to ‘hang out’, as it were, when they’re not out foraging or hunting?

In this article, we’re exploring the question of where bats live, and we’re looking at the variations among bats when it comes to their habitats, roosting preferences, and colonizing behavior. As it turns out, bats are highly complex animals that have evolved to be very social, and the places they call home might surprise you.

Come along as we definitively answer the question, “Where do bats live?”

Where Do Bats Live

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How Big Are Bats: The Smallest and Largest In The World

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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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Taking Down The Dead Oak: Change Happens

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Earlier this year the large water oak in our backyard died.  The tree has been terrifying me as I had visions of it crashing down on our home during a tropical storm.  In fact, we rode out Hurricane Barry at my wife’s sister’s house because I was certain the storm would bring this guy down.

Thank goodness that Hurricane Barry was a dud!

Dead Oak Tree In Yard

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Are Bats Protected By Federal Law? Some But Not All!

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Bats are and always have been a part of human existence for as long as we’ve been walking the Earth. Ever since early hunter-gatherer Man encountered bats in caves, our two species have been coexisting fairly successfully.

Every now and again, bats will establish a roost in an abandoned building, mineshaft, or some other manmade structure. When humans return to these places—whether to explore or rehabilitate them—they often find that they must contend with bats by either relocating them or eliminating them.

Because of the inevitable encounters that we’re going to have with bats, it’s important to know what the laws are regarding their federal protection status. In this article, we’re going to forego a discussion about state laws in favor of the topic of federal laws that specifically protect bats. Knowing what these laws are and where they apply will help to keep you out of hot water with the government.

Are Bats Protected By Federal Law

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