This list will be updated as needed
Myth - Bat's don't have an anus and defecate out of their mouths.
Fact - Bats are mammals and do have an anus.
What people view as them defecting out of their mouths is left over pulp. Bats chew the life out of fruit, extracting all the juice they can before spitting the pulp out.
Myth - Bats are dirty
Fact - Bats are very clean animals.
Like all animals, Bat's clean themselves daily, even after feeding.
Myth - Scout's flying out in search of food for the colony.
Fact - There is no such thing as a scout bat.
Myth - Bats drink blood
Fact - The Vampire bat is the only species of Bat to drink blood.
There are three species of Vampire Bat, all native to the Americas. The Common Vampire Bat, the Hairy-legged Vampire Bat and the White-winged Vampire Bat. They mainly feed on live stock, such as pigs, goats, cows, horses and chickens. Occasionally though, humans have been known to be bitten. There are no Vampire Bats in Australia.
Myth - Bats will flying into your hair.
Fact - Bats won't intentionally fly at you, to attack.
Bats will flying around you, trying to catch insects nearby but not to attack.
Myth - Bats are blind
Fact - All bats can see quite well. Megabats have large eyes to help them local night flowering blossoms. Microbats have echolocation which they use to locate prey and can see quite well.
Many species of plant life have evolved to flower specifically at night to attract Bats.
Myth - Bats only live in caves
Fact - Some species of Microbats do live in caves, but not all of them.
Some choose to live in the hollows of trees, sheds, beach umbrellas, even in roofs. If and object, man made or not can protect them from they weather and predators, Microbats will use it. Megabats on the other hand prefer trees as their roost.
Myth - Bat faeces can strip paint
Fact - If left on long enough, yes it may.
Bird droppings are actually more corrosive than a flying-fox.
Myth - Bats are cold and clammy
Fact - Bats are warm blooded and thermo-regulate just like humans.
In winter when some Microbats hibernate, they will feel cold to the touch.
Myth - Bats are pests and don't serve a purpose
Fact - Flying-foxes and Blossom Bats play a crucial roll in the environment.
They cross pollinate and disperse the seeds of over 60,000 native plants in our forest. Without them, many of our natives plants would fail to survive. Microbats eat their own body weight in insects every night.
Myth - All Bats have Rabies
Fact - A very small percentage of Bats do carry the rabies like disease, known as "Australian Lyssavirus".
Out of all the species of Bats in Australia, less than 1% of the wild population has Lyssavirus. You are more likely to be hit by a car crossing the road, than contracting this disease.
Myth - You can catch Lyssavirus from breathing the same air as Bats.
Fact - You can't catch Lyssavirus just from breathing the same air as a Bat.
Lyssavirus can only be caught if you are scratched or bitten and only if the Bats have this disease. You can not catch it, simply by breathing the same air or touching their faeces. If you don't touch Bats, then you can't get Lyssavirus.
If you do get bitten or scratched, wash the wound thoroughly with soap for at least 5 minutes and contact your doctor who will contact the Department of Human Services to arrange appropriate treatment that may include vaccination or booster vaccination.
There are three species of Vampire Bat, all native to the Americas. The Common Vampire Bat, the Hairy-legged Vampire Bat and the White-winged Vampire Bat. They mainly feed on live stock, such as pigs, goats, cows, horses and chickens. Occasionally though, humans have been known to be bitten. There are no Vampire Bats in Australia.
Myth - Bats will flying into your hair.
Fact - Bats won't intentionally fly at you, to attack.
Bats will flying around you, trying to catch insects nearby but not to attack.
Myth - Bats are blind
Fact - All bats can see quite well. Megabats have large eyes to help them local night flowering blossoms. Microbats have echolocation which they use to locate prey and can see quite well.
Many species of plant life have evolved to flower specifically at night to attract Bats.
Myth - Bats only live in caves
Fact - Some species of Microbats do live in caves, but not all of them.
Some choose to live in the hollows of trees, sheds, beach umbrellas, even in roofs. If and object, man made or not can protect them from they weather and predators, Microbats will use it. Megabats on the other hand prefer trees as their roost.
Myth - Bat faeces can strip paint
Fact - If left on long enough, yes it may.
Bird droppings are actually more corrosive than a flying-fox.
Myth - Bats are cold and clammy
Fact - Bats are warm blooded and thermo-regulate just like humans.
In winter when some Microbats hibernate, they will feel cold to the touch.
Myth - Bats are pests and don't serve a purpose
Fact - Flying-foxes and Blossom Bats play a crucial roll in the environment.
They cross pollinate and disperse the seeds of over 60,000 native plants in our forest. Without them, many of our natives plants would fail to survive. Microbats eat their own body weight in insects every night.
Myth - All Bats have Rabies
Fact - A very small percentage of Bats do carry the rabies like disease, known as "Australian Lyssavirus".
Out of all the species of Bats in Australia, less than 1% of the wild population has Lyssavirus. You are more likely to be hit by a car crossing the road, than contracting this disease.
Myth - You can catch Lyssavirus from breathing the same air as Bats.
Fact - You can't catch Lyssavirus just from breathing the same air as a Bat.
Lyssavirus can only be caught if you are scratched or bitten and only if the Bats have this disease. You can not catch it, simply by breathing the same air or touching their faeces. If you don't touch Bats, then you can't get Lyssavirus.
If you do get bitten or scratched, wash the wound thoroughly with soap for at least 5 minutes and contact your doctor who will contact the Department of Human Services to arrange appropriate treatment that may include vaccination or booster vaccination.
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