In Defense of Plants Podcast

Ep. 446 - Bats: Friends of Plants

8 snips
Nov 5, 2023
Dr. Merlin Tuttle, the founder of Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation and a leading bat conservationist, shares fascinating insights about the critical relationship between bats and plants. He details how bats are essential for pollination and seed dispersal, even adapting plants to attract them. Tuttle highlights the economic benefits of bats in agriculture, especially for crops like cacao and rice. He also discusses changing perceptions through compassionate dialogue and the importance of collaboration for effective conservation efforts.
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INSIGHT

Bats as Pollinators

  • Bats are the most efficient pollinators, carrying pollen farther than any other animal.
  • Long-nosed bats in Mexico have been observed covering over 60 miles in a single night.
INSIGHT

High-Altitude Pollination

  • The Puya plant, found in the Andes, relies on bats for pollination, even though bats can't live in its cold habitat.
  • Bats from lower valleys ride thermals up to pollinate the Puya, demonstrating a unique adaptation.
ANECDOTE

Misconceptions about Pollination

  • In Cuba, the "echo vine" was thought to be hummingbird-pollinated, but observations revealed otherwise.
  • Bats' larger heads effectively pollinated the flowers at night, disproving the initial assumption.
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