Bats: the nocturnal creatures that often evoke images of darkness, are rarely celebrated for their contributions to our ecosystems. Yet, if you’ve ever savored a cup of coffee, indulged in a juicy mango, or sipped on a margarita, you might owe a debt of gratitude to these winged mammals. Despite their ominous reputation, bats play […]
Tag: bats
Despite Weather Extremes, Australia’s Grey-Headed Flying Fox ‘Is Doing OK’
The grey-headed and spectacled species of mainland flying fox — common in Australia, also known as “fruit bats” — have historically experienced such low numbers that they faced the possibility of extinction, reported The Conversation. But after a decade-long survey by the National Flying-fox Monitoring Program (NFFMP) — coordinated by CSIRO, along with state and […]
Bats are in trouble. That’s not good for anyone who likes mezcal, rice or avocado
If you’ve ever enjoyed coffee, tomatoes, corn, bananas, mangoes, walnuts, chocolate, tequila or mezcal, you may just owe bats a thank-you. While bats are often the subject of fear and scorn – they’re fixtures in Halloween decor and haunted-house imagery, and are frequently portrayed as harbingers of doom – their presence is often a sign […]
Most male mammals are not bigger than females: New analysis of more than 400 species
New research is cutting male mammals down to size. While we may think of hulking elephant seal bulls or huge stags, these males appear to be the exception, rather than the rule. A new analysis of more than 400 species suggests that there are more mammals where the females are actually the same size as, […]
Bats ‘leapfrog’ back to roost to stay safe from predators, study finds
Bats fly back to their roosts after a night of hunting in a “leapfrogging” pattern that allows them to maximise their time out and stay safe from predators, researchers have found. A team from Cardiff University and the University of Sussex developed a mathematical model using “trajectory data” that tracked the flight of greater horseshoe […]
Bats Hold Vital Clues for Cancer Prevention as Scientists Study Their ‘Extraordinary’ Immunity
A new study shows that bats evolved to avoid cancer and the data may uncover how humans can treat or prevent viruses as well as cancer. A rapid evolution in bats, the only winged mammal, may account for their “extraordinary” ability to both host and survive infections and even to avoid cancer—and that success is […]
New research shows bats feast as insects migrate through Pyrenees
Bats gather to feast as nocturnal insects fly through mountain passes in the Pyrenees each autumn, new research shows. University of Exeter scientists identified seven bat species and 66 insect species (90% of which were moths) in the Pass of Bujaruelo, near Spain’s border with France. The paper, published in the journal Royal Society Open […]
Bat activity lower at solar farm sites, study finds
The activity level of six bat species was significantly reduced at solar farm sites, researchers have observed. Their findings, published today in Journal of Applied Ecology, have the potential to impact and inform planning legislation and policy so that the benefits of solar power are reaped without impacting wildlife. Renewable technologies are important in meeting […]