Bats have been a major part of Halloween for over 100 years, ever since Bram Stoker’s 1887 Dracula depicted a Vampire turning into a bat. So as an homage to our favorite spooky mascot, this Halloween, learn some exciting and educational facts about bats! Share them with your friends and family for some extra spooky enjoyment! However, be warned, you might actually discover that bats are not as scary as you once thought!

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🧛 Vampire Bats Will Not Suck Your Blood.

Three species of vampire bats are known to exist around the world. These three species of bats do not actually “suck” blood from other mammals. They will, however, lick it up after emitting a bite to a cow or other large warm-blooded animal.

🦇 Bats are the Only Mammal That Can Fly.

Many people do not realize that bats are in fact, mammals; and on top of that, the only mammals that can actually fly. They have wings similar to the anatomy of a human hand, with elongated fingers connected by a stretchy membrane. They are amazing during flight. They are fast and swift, using propulsion to push forward using their airfoil thin wings.

🦗 A Bat Can Eat 1,000 Insects Per Hour.

Bats have insatiable appetites and can eat up to 200 tons of insects each night. That is am estimated 1,000 insects or more, in just one hour! Bats like to eat mosquitoes, moths, flies, gnats, and similar nocturnal flying insects.

📡 Bats Use Echolocation to Hunt for Prey.

Bats are not blind, but they do not have great vision, especially in the dark. Bats have a built-in sonar system called Echolocation, to help them navigate around at night, and accurately dart and dive for prey. Bats are not the only animals who use echolocation. Dolphins and whales are well-known echolocating species, too!

📊 Bats Make Up Nearly 25% of Mammals.

There are more than 900 species of bats in the world, all broken up into different categories and classifications. The Chiroptera Order is the first class in which bats are categorized. From there they are split into suborders, genera, and then species.

So Did You Learn Something New?

Now that you have reviewed some of the most interesting and impressive educational facts about bats, what do you think of them now? They are actually incredible and amazing mammals that do wonders for our local Eco-systems, economies, and more!

So the next time you see a bat flying around your house, simply keep your distance and throw them a “thanks” for all their wonderful contributions. If you are experiencing nuisance bat problems in or around your house, contact a local Louisville bat removal company for safe and humane assistance.

Louisville Bat Removal and Control You Can Trust

Call 502-553-7622 to request a free estimate for Louisville bat removal services, today. We offer a wide range of safe and humane bat removal and control services for both residential and commercial properties within Central Kentucky, at the most competitive prices in town. That means you can get affordable bat removal and control you can trust. It was over 30 years of experience under our belts, you can feel confident in our results.

3 Species of Blood-Consuming Mammals

Although there are several creatures on this planet that exhibit traits of a sanguinivorous lifestyle (consuming vertebrate blood), there are only 3 mammals that do so, all of which make up the Vampire bat species. These include the Common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), the White-Winged Vampire Bat (Diaemus youngi), and the Hairy-legged Vampire Bat (Diphylla ecaudata). All three species are suite similar, but also have separate distinct characteristics that make them unique.

Now Let Us Clear Up the Confusion

The rumors that suggests these species “attack” and “kill” their prey, and then “suck” their blood is wrong. The truth is, vampire bats choose a host, make a small incision with their tiny teeth (much like a prick of a finger), and then lap up the pooling blood with their tongues.

They use heat-sensitive cells in their nose to locate a suitable blood vessel, while their saliva contains an anti-coagulant proteins (one such protein is called Draculin) that prevents the incision from clotting until they are done feeding. Once they are through, which usually takes up to an hour, the incision quickly seals, and the host is none-the-wiser.

Vampire bats actually help take care of their hosts. You see, blood is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. This means they have to eat a lot more than regular microbats, so it is necessary to preserve their food source, which usually comprise of livestock like cows, pigs, horses, and goats.

They are known to help others in their roost too. If a vampire bat goes a few days without eating, they can lose a significant amount of body fat, which puts them at a higher fatality risks. To combat this issues, the well-fed bats regurgitate packages of congealed blood for hungry companions in their roost.

Want to learn more false rumors about bats? Read our blog, “Unfair Misconceptions About Bats” to get an idea of the truth behind bats.

Dealing With Nuisance Bats?

Although bats are an important part of our Eco-system, and even our economy, they can sometimes pose certain threats if their colonies get too close. If you suspect you have issues with bats, or a bat infestation in the attic or other area of your home, contact our DNR licensed and insured professionals at 553-502-7622 for safe and humane bat control service in Louisville, Kentucky and its surrounding counties. We have more than two decades of experience working with bats, and offer both residential and commercial bat removal and control services, including minor attic restorations for bat damages. Request a free estimate, today.

Bat Removal in Louisville, Kentucky

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Fun Bat Facts for Halloween