Bats

 This is the season associated with bats. What many people don't understand about bats, they rely on myths and superstitions. I plan to talk about them quickly in this October post for the hallowed season of Winter Finding and Samhain. 

Do bats get stuck in hair? No. It's a myth that this happens. 

Are bats really blood sucking vampires? No they're not, Some bats living in tropical regions in South American sip a little blood of small creatures. The majority of bats eat fruit and insects, and they drink water, sometimes nectar. Vampire bat saliva produces an enzyme or anticoagulant that is used as medicine to treat people with heart problems.    

Are bats blind? No this is false. Bats are able to see perfectly clearly. They are also nocturnal and use their own signals to focus in the dark.

Are bats really flying rats? No. Bats are winged mammals of the Chiroptera genus, They're not rodents. 

Can bats carry diseases and rabies? Only 5 % tested caught wild bats have had rabies. Its not true that all of them have rabies. Just under 10 people have caught rabies from bats in 50 years in the USA. And it isn't true that bats spread diseases. 

More interesting fun facts about bats!

They're pollinators. They can spread a number of seeds that grow into fruit. Bats are good at keeping bug population down which is great news for farmers. Bats are able to eat so many insects that it saves plants and crops. Its important to view bats as a friend instead of a villain. 

Bats are able to outlive domestic cats and dogs. They can live up to 30 years. What is more interesting is that bats hibernate during Winter and can sleep in cold temperatures in caves. 

They're the ONLY mammals who can fly.

There's over 1,400 different kinds of bats! However, sadly some of those are endangered. 

My conclusion is, be kind to bats. Respect all wild animals. Farmers need to stop chemical insecticides and use natural insecticides such as bats!

Storm Valkyrie 🌹