Bats rank amongst the most hated animal species, so it’s no wonder that lots of people tend to fear them. It’s possible that you have a wrong notion about bats, making it hard to realize that they are positive contributors to Michigan’s ecosystem.
Interesting Facts About Michigan’s Bats
Image via Flickr by Gilles San Martin
You will find nine different bat species in Michigan, according to reports from the Department of Natural Resources. They include:
- Red Bat
- Silver-haired Bat
- Little Brown Bat
- Indiana Bat
- Big Brown Bat
- Hoary Bat
- Evening Bat
- Tri-colored Bat
- Northern Long-eared Bat
It is common knowledge that bats in Michigan tend to be most active at night. But it’ll also interest you to know that, contrary to what many people think, these mammals only ingest insects for food.
What else is there to know about bats? Keep reading to learn more interesting facts about these creatures.
Bats Are the Only Mammals That Fly
One animal that has become popular for its ability to do short-distance glides is the flying squirrel. But when it comes to bats, the squirrel doesn’t come close. That’s because bats happen to be true flyers with wings that look like a human palm, only this time with skin membranes that appear thinner and stretched. The modified nature of their wings ensures that they can fly.
Bats Can Hunt for Food in the Dark
Many bat species are usually active at night and have the ability to hunt for insects in total darkness. They can do so because of a process known as echolocation. In this case, bats emit high-pitched sounds that happen to be inaudible but bounce off their prey. These sounds are emitted at 10 to 20 beeps per second and then they listen to the echoes.
Bats Have Pups Too!
If you thought dogs were the only animals with pups, then you didn’t know that baby bats are also referred to as pups. And guess what the pups feed on? Breastmilk! That’s because mother bats are mammals too.
Bat Dropping are High-Value Assets
Also known as guano, bat droppings contain nutrients that enrich the soil, making them one of the most important fertilizers for farmers. Many years back, bat guano used to be a highly traded commodity and was once the largest mineral export of Texa.
Bats Eat Scorpions
Many animals dread being stung by a scorpion. But pallid bats are not scared of even the most venomous scorpion because they seem to have some sort of immunity against its sting. As a matter of fact, scorpions account for most of a pallid bat’s food and can even constitute up to 70% of its diet sometimes.
Bats Can Eat More Than 1,000 Insects in 60 Minutes
Bats can eat as much as they weigh, and can consume up to 1,200 mosquitoes an hour. That makes them positive contributors in efforts to curb bugs.
What everyone should know about bats
Bats need not be seen as rodents. They also will not get caught in your hair. And contrary to popular opinion, bats do not feed on human blood. Rather, these creatures render valuable services to us as humans. They truly are unique and are the only mammals capable of flying.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that you want them taking over your attic or garage. If you have a rodent problem in Michigan, whether you’re in Troy, Livonia, Rochester Hills, or Commerce, Solidified Pest Control has you covered when it comes to bat removal. Fill out our free online form for info.