Bats
Why do bats fly at night?
Duration: 1:58
When the sun goes down, bats wake up! Join our little explorer on a night adventure to meet this very special animal, and discover how it finds its way in the dark.
In short
Bats are not birds: they are mammals, like cats, dogs, and people. They have fur, their babies drink milk, and they are the only mammals that can really fly. A bat's wing is like a hand, with very long fingers and a thin skin stretched between them. During the day, bats sleep upside down in caves, in trees, or under bridges, and at night they wake up to find food. To find their way in the dark, bats make tiny squeaks, too high for us to hear, and listen to the echoes that bounce back: this is called echolocation. Many bats catch insects, like moths and mosquitoes, and one little bat can eat hundreds of insects in one night. Other bats eat fruit or drink nectar from flowers and help new plants grow. Bats are shy and helpful, but you should never touch a bat: tell a grown-up instead.
What you will learn
- Why bats fly at night
- Bats are mammals, not birds: they have fur, and their babies drink milk
- How a bat's wing is like a hand, with very long fingers
- Why bats sleep upside down during the day
- How bats find their way in the dark with echoes
- What bats eat: insects, fruit, and nectar
- Why you should never touch a bat
Let's talk about it
Questions to ask after watching, at home or in class. Tap a question to see a short answer.
Is a bat a bird?
No! A bat is a mammal: it has fur, and its babies drink milk. It is the only mammal that can really fly.
How do bats find their way in the dark?
They make tiny squeaks and listen to the echoes that bounce back.
What should you do if you see a bat?
Never touch it. Just tell a grown-up.
