• Bats are not blind. All bat species are able to see but not all have the same eyesight. Some bat species, like flying foxes have great night vision and species that feed on nectar or pollinate flowers can see ultraviolet light. In the UK, bat species don't have very good night-vision (a bit like humans) so they rely on echolocation to navigate, hunt and 'see' the world.
  • Bats are the only true flying mammals in the world.
  • A tiny pipistrelle can eat up to 3,000 insects in a night.
  • Things we get from bat-adapted plants include dates, vanilla, bananas, breadfruit, guavas, Iroko timber, balsa wood, sisal, Tequila and chewing gum!
  • Bats are more closely related to humans than they are to mice.
  • The majority of the world's bats eat insects - just like British bats. In the tropics bats also eat foods like fruit, flowers, frogs, fish, blood, even other bats.
  • Bats usually only have one baby a year and can live for up to 30 years
Bat facts