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What are
bats?
Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly. Almost a quarter of the world's 4000 mammal species are bats! From fossil evidence, we know that these elusive creatures have been around virtually unchanged for at least 50 million years. They vary in size - the smallest having a body-length of about 3 centimetres, and the largest a wingspan of almost 2 metres! Bats have evolved to eat a wide variety of foods including flowers, nectar, fruit, frogs, fish, insects and of course blood (vampire bats, although everyone has heard about them are represented by only two species, and live only in Central and South America). European bats, including those in Britain, eat only insects. All British bats echolocate to find their way about and also to find their food. By emitting short shouts of ultrasound (high frequency sound, mostly above our range of hearing) and listening to the echoes, they are able to build up an amazingly detailed picture of their surroundings. In this way they are able to find and catch an insect the size of a midge while flying through foliage in total darkness. We can identify species, and listen to them echolocating, by using a 'bat detector'. This device picks up the ultrasound and lowers the frequency so that we can hear the sounds. Bats in West Yorkshire Other species include the Daubenton's bat, sometimes referred to as the Water Bat. It spends most of its life over or close to water, typically living in bridges or buildings close to rivers, canals or reservoirs. It often picks insects off the surface of the water with its large feet. Daubenton's bats can live up to 30 years! The Noctule is the largest bat found in West Yorkshire, with a wingspan of up to 38 centimetres. It's usually one of the earlier species to be seen in the evening, flying high over meadows and around the tops of trees in the early dusk and can easily be mistaken for a late bird. What do I do if I have bats living in the house? The answer is 'Nothing!' If you find that they are using your house as a roost, there is absolutely no need to worry! British bats do not pose a health hazard - they are very clean animals. Their tiny droppings are dry and composed of small parts of insect wings and legs and readily turn to dust after a while. Unlike rodents, bats do not damage your property - they don't gnaw through wiring, chew timber, make nests or try to get into your kitchen for the biscuits! A colony will use a number of roost sites throughout the spring, summer and autumn, spending time at each. So 'your' bats will usually be in residence only for a short time during this period. In winter they normally choose different, colder hibernation sites. They return to the same roosts year after year. Both bats and their roosts are protected by law. Very strict penalties apply to anyone interfering with bats or their roosts in any way without first consulting Natural England. What should you do in the rare event of finding a bat inside the living area of your house? First of all do not panic! Sometimes a bat - particularly a youngster - will make a mistake and enter your house. All it wants to do is get out. If it can't find a way out immediately, it may hide in a corner somewhere, go to sleep and try again the following evening. Just open a window and it will fly out. If it's a baby and not yet flying, and has managed to crawl in, then it is best to contact the then it is best to contact the Natural England Bat Helpline: on 0845 1300 228 or use their Contact page And for more information, try: www.kirklees.gov.uk www.nyorkbats.freeserve.co.uk www.bats.org.uk |