What Are Bats Afraid Of?

Perhaps one of the most misunderstood creatures of the world, bats are actually very peaceful and rarely attack humans. Although they have sharp teeth, they prefer to use them only for eating food such as flies, mosquitoes and other insects. Since many people are unnecessarily scared of these little mammals, you might be surprised to learn that bats actually have several enemies that they're quite afraid of!

History

There are more than 1,000 different species of bats present across the world, and each culture has its own opinion of the creatures. While countries such as China and Poland view them as a sign of luck and happiness, other cultures associate them with vampires, disease and even death. Evidence of these varying opinions can be found in ancient artwork and folklore, proving that these mysterious creatures have been an object of fascination for quite some time.

Misconceptions

"He's as blind as a bat." Contrary to this common phrase, bats actually have good vision. Although less advanced than other senses, bats rely upon their sight for navigation. In addition, despite their association with rabies, bats are no more susceptible to the disease than any other animal. In fact, only about 0.5 percent of the world's bat population carries rabies. And while some individuals may believe bats often attack, this is simply not true.

Considerations

Bats have more reason to be afraid of us than we do of them. In addition to our size, humans have taken over their habitats and are increasingly destroying their food sources. What's more, the bat's negative reputation has led many people to treat the creature as a nuisance, often trapping and even killing them. In addition to humans, bats also fear predators such as owls, opossums, snakes and even house cats. To escape these predators, many bats will abandon their homes and move to new territory.

Significance

Bats are very important to our environment, since they prevent insect overpopulation. Indeed, rather than fearing bats, you should actually thank them for removing all those mosquitoes, flies and other annoying pests. Moreover, their powerful insect-catching abilities help reduce the use of harmful pesticides.

Warning

Although bats pose no serious threat to humans--and are actually afraid of us--they are still wild animals. While these shy creatures tend to avoid interaction with people, it is important for us to leave them alone as well. If you find a bat in or around your home, you should not chase it, since this will only frighten it more. In fact, when humans come into contact with bats, more often that not it is the bat who suffers, often injuring itself as it tries to get away.

Resources

• Metro West Daily: Don't Be Afraid of Bats