Few of us see bats on a regular basis, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Go out to an open field or pond by dusk, and you’ll start to see bats are all around us. Ontario alone is home to eight species of bats.
Given bats are nocturnal, meaning that they only come out at night, it’s no surprise that many of us have never seen what bats do, leading to all types of mysteries and superstitions. So, what are bats really getting up to when nobody is looking?
Eating Habits
Nobody loves a midnight snack more than a bat. All of Ontario’s bats are insectivores, meaning they have an insect only diet.
Bats can eat 30 to 50 per cent of their body weight in insects per night. Different species prefer a diverse range of food, from mosquitos to moths to beetles, generally preferring larger items. Bats play an important role in controlling the population of nuisance insects, which can damage structures and crops.
Navigating
While bats are not blind, it’s hard for anyone to see after dusk. To help them move around, bats have devised a clever solution: by making high-pitched calls into the night and listening for the echoes, they can visualize shape and distance in a process known as echolocation. A colony can make an entire symphony of sound at night, too high-pitched for us to hear.
Roosting
Bats will roost in a variety of locations, including caves, tree cavities, and crevices, both solo and in groups. However, bats also make use of artificial structures, including old barns, attics, cottages and bat houses. While this can give them a bad rap, bats are only looking for a dry, safe place to sleep. Providing them alternative places to roost gives them space to exist alongside us.
We should raise our voices to protect bats in Ontario because their voices can’t be heard (since they’re technically not audible).
Creating forest and wetlands helps to supply bats with insects to eat and cavities to roost in. If you are interested in helping to restore habitat on your property, check out our services.
Also consider installing a bat house to help our flying friends find shelter.
Habitat structures and restoration projects may be eligible for funding through one of CVC’s funding programs for landowners. Connect with a stewardship coordinator for more information.