These fluffy cute bats aren't just pretty; they are important to our ecosystems. "Bats have meaningful roles in pollination and seed dispersal," a spokesperson for Bats Qld told Bored Panda. "For example, the eucalyptus forest that the koalas rely on are pollinated by the flying foxes." Also, these night flyers contribute to controlling insect populations.
Sadly, we often seem to forget these good deeds. "Humans are a threat to bats. Barbed wire, fruit netting, domestic pets and car strikes are the most common reason they need help. The bigger picture would also include deforestation and habitat loss."
The negative myths surrounding these creatures don't do them any good too. For instance, we often hear that bats are dirty, but Bats Qld immediately reject this notion: "Nope, bats are very clean animals and clean themselves all the time."
Another misconception is that bats swoop people. "Nope again. Bats cannot fly like a bird, but instead must drop before they can fly up, much like a paraglider. This is often mistaken for swooping."
You can also hear people say that bats have lots of diseases. "False, bats in Australia only carry one disease that poses a risk to people directly from the animal which is Australian Bat Lyssa Virus. This is found in less than 0.01% of the bat population." Besides, there also is a fully effective post-exposure vaccine.
Interestingly, flying foxes have similar eyesight to ours, and although microbats don't have the best vision, they can see as well.
The bottom line is that bats are doing their part in keeping the environment in check, and they deserve respect for their contribution. But for now, keep on scrolling for more of these painfully adorable bat photos!
