Something I learnt about bats
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339930)
Rockingham, Australia
May 21, 2024 7:32pm CST
The photo has little to do with the discussion.
I didn’t go to the movie night at the clubhouse last night. However, I did go a few doors up and had coffee with two other couples.
For some reason, we got to taking about bats. My friend and I both asked at the same time, if they hang upside down, how do they do their business? Thank heavens for mobile phones: it seems they don’t do their business while they’re upside down. So that’s another problem solved.
Our friends said there is a place in Queensland where people gather at a pub and at precisely 5.47 each evening, the sky darkens as all the bats in the trees nearby take off for their feeding grounds. I wouldn't mind seeing that.
I’m not all keen on bats. I guess it’s mostly because I’m not used to them. I find them unpredictable and a bit scary.
23 people like this
24 responses
@kaylachan (69646)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 May
I can't say I'd blame you. Small creatures that are active mostly at night. That might be scary.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
22 May
@JudyEv When I helped teach swimming a four year old who lived with grandparents told me he practiced swimming in their pool every night until the bats came out. Grandma made him.
3 people like this
@kaylachan (69646)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 May
@GardenGerty Well, I always loved to swim at night. Especially if I couldn't sleep in the summer. It felt like bathwater at night.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (180665)
• United States
22 May
Wouldn't be at all happy to see them flying by here.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (180665)
• United States
22 May
@JudyEv When the boys were little sis and bro in law went on a camping trip to an area that had bats. They ended up getting soaked and going home early. Although the boys and their dad went on camping trips with the scouts they never camped as a family again.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 May
@snowy22315 Soaked with excrement or rain?
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
22 May
This same thing happens in Florida, at a certain time of the year. Hundreds of bats fly through the air at the same time, towards their feeding grounds. Some people attend this occurrence every year.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
22 May
@JudyEv They are blessed with a form of radar, far superior to anything that man could invent!
2 people like this
@zainkhan121 (859)
• Pakistan
22 May
I can understand feeling a bit wary around bats, especially if you're not used to them. Their unpredictability and nocturnal nature can indeed be intimidating. But they play an important role in the ecosystem, so it's fascinating to learn more about them, even if they give us a bit of a scare sometimes.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 May
Everything has its place, doesn't it? But I'm not sure what use mosquitoes are! lol
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 May
@zainkhan121 Ah yes, but are they all good purposes? lol
1 person likes this
@zainkhan121 (859)
• Pakistan
22 May
@JudyEv Trust me! Everything has a purpose!
1 person likes this
@moirai (2853)
• Philippines
23 May
By "doing their business" I take it you mean like doing toilet stuff right?
Don't bats sleep upside down? So... why would they "do business" while 'in bed'? I mean... people don't usually do toilet stuff while in bed... at least not on purpose... I hope... ... ...
In any case, speaking of bats, I do like to watch videos of them eating bananas every now and then. Very cute.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37351)
• Toccoa, Georgia
23 May
A couple of years ago I learned that bats eat mosquitoes and that's why you should put up a bat house in your yard.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37351)
• Toccoa, Georgia
24 May
@JudyEv I occasionally see them flying through our yard.
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@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 May
@LeaPea2417 Hopefully they're catching lots of mosquitoes as they go.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51190)
• Canada
22 May
Bats are supposed to be quite 'active' during the hours in which we sleep.
That is when they are out hunting and eating-mostly mosquitoes and small insects.
When we moved into our home in the rural village years ago, there was 2 elderly widows across the road from us.
One had a large barn shaped shed, that she did not use, it was for storage and I suppose her husband used it when he was alive, but bats found it and some lived in it.
When we would look outside at night we would see them coming from that shed and flying all around.
If we left some of our outdoor lights on, they would come over and eat the mosquitoes and fly about around our house.
I never liked to see them, they had an eerie way about them.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (106226)
• Marion, Ohio
22 May
I would love to see that. I had never thought about them going potty . If one is flying around stand still until it passes you. They navigate by sound and will avoid you. But moving confuses them
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (106226)
• Marion, Ohio
22 May
@JudyEv They eat a lot of bugs. I like having them around. But we don't see many here the last few years
1 person likes this
@jefferson126 (3270)
• Shenzhen, China
22 May
I always think bat is mysterious creature,they are sleeping in daytime,acted in the night.The habit is completely opposite to human being.Glad to know you sloved one problem about bats.Internet is omnipotent.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 May
@jefferson126 Some of these clever things make my mind boggle at times.
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
22 May
I once was providing academic support for a kindergartener. It was near Halloween, and he bought a factual book about bats to share at circle. His teacher proceeded to tell him there were no bats in Kansas or in the United States. She must have seen my face. . . so she turned it into a learning moment for everyone, using her new laptop to look up about bats and get herself educated and give her students the truth. I knew we had bats in Kansas!!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 May
I just used ChatGPT to ask for information about Eyre Bird Observatory and it told me it was in South Australia. It's not; it's in our state of WA! It was a good reminder to check whatever ChapGPT gives you. I don't use it much but find it intriguing. I like to see what it comes up with and how quickly it does it but I'll be checking very carefully in future.
At least the teachers didn't go on willy-nilly. It must have been a pretty horrified face you showed.
@RebeccasFarm (89882)
• Arvada, Colorado
24 May
Bats are the least of my worries ..I wouldn't be scared of them.
But that is interesting huh about doing their business. Yes, they have the sense not to hang upside down doing it.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79833)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 May
As long as they leave me alone I think bats are adorable creatures and I would like to see them flying in a bunch, In Austin Texas they have bats under the Congress Bridge and people go there in the evening to see them come flying out,
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
22 May
Great photo. I like the big fruit bats. I watched an episode of one of the zoo programs; and the zookeepers wear special jackets so that the bats can hang on them. They were quite friendly. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 May
I wouldn't like them in the house that's for sure. I hope you were able to get rid of them easily.