Are Bats Sleeping Like Truckers?

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There's been a huge focus on stopping its spread by telling people that they couldn't go in caves any more. That hasn't even slowed the spread, because bats are far more effective spreaders. The only truly diurnal or at least partially diurnal bats are on remote islands where there are very few birds of prey. A bat in the daytime is easy prey for a hawk. Bats are very loyal to specific areas. If you have four or five caves fairly close together, they may very well move among those.

“People fear most what they understand least." Words of wisdom from explorer/American treasure/bat expert, Dr. Merlin Tuttle. As your internet dad/host takes care of her surgically recuperating husband this week, we revisit her visit to Austin. In 2019, Alie headed to the bat capital and sat down with the legendary chiropterologist to discuss wild field stories and close calls and caves and comebacks and bat chatter and what a bat actually is and how big they get and what's up with their smushy noses, why folks are so frightened by them, the evolution of flight, echolocation, getting a bat out of your house, how they sleep upside down, which ones guzzle blood, and the latest on white nose syndrome -- which is not a drug problem. Sit back with a cup of tea or something stronger and get ready for adventure. Indiana Jones can get bent because Dr. Merlin Tuttle is the hero this nation needs.

More Spooktober episodes! alieward.com/ologies/spooktober2021

Learn more about bats & Dr. Merlin Tuttle's photography & work in conservation:

www.MerlinTuttle.org

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Dr. Merlin Tuttle's bat books: www.merlintuttle.org/category/books/

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