Stuff You Should Know Selects: How Bats Work
12 snips
Jul 8, 2023 Bats are not just creepy; they have fascinating characteristics that make them unique and essential. Dive into their incredible echolocation skills and discover how these flying mammals navigate the night. Learn about their social behaviors, taxonomy changes, and the ecological roles they play as insect controllers and pollinators. From misconceptions to military uses, the hosts share amusing anecdotes and highlight the threats bats face today, all while shedding light on their misunderstood nature.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Unique Mammals
- Bats are the only flying mammals, and there are about 1,200 species.
- They are more closely related to humans than to rodents like rats or foxes.
Bat Classification
- All bats belong to the order Chiroptera, meaning "hand-wing."
- Taxonomy of bats was previously based on size (megabats and microbats), but genetic testing has led to reclassification.
Rabies Misconception
- Less than 0.5% of bats carry rabies.
- Raccoons and skunks are more likely to transmit rabies than bats.