What other mammal is viewed as mysteriously or as warily as the bat? Is it that they only come out at night? Or is it that they are the only mammal which can fly? Or is it because they will drink another animal’s blood? Finally is it that they are just plain creepy? Regardless of whether you choose one, or all of the above, the mammal with one of the largest number of species (one fifth of all mammals are bats) is an anomaly of the animal kingdom.
Bats come in two sizes large (Mega) and small (Micro) with the smaller ones using sonar capabilities to maneuver their way around their habitat. As a corollary the Mega bat can see much better than the Micro bat (still not great though), and they really aren’t even that big. With so many species the traits which make up each type of bat varies greatly. Some are loners while others live in crazy large colonies. Some prefer caves; for others a bridge will do. Some eat insects, some drink nectar and some sup on blood.
However it’s the blood suckers (only a small percentage of all bats) which garner the most attention, and the most mention in the media. What other animal could Count Dracula transform himself into that would make him as otherworldly? A Possum, a fox, or a rabbit? All of these would be lame for sure. Perhaps only the wolf would work (and actually in the book “Dracula”; he can become a wolf) but then the canon of iconic monsters would be left without the Wolf Man, and that would be a shame.
The ability to fly adds significantly (as well as critically) to the mysterious Count’s need to wear a cape. As far as mystery goes what other article of clothing captures the imagination like the aforementioned cape? A long scarf is good but just not as dramatic by a long shot. No it has to be a cape and only a swirling cape matches the convulsive movement of a bats’ wings in flight. Even though there flying appears ungraceful, there are those who say a bat’s wings make it the most efficient flyer in the animal kingdom.
But now what would lead the people of Eastern Europe to believe that human vampires are somehow linked with bats. Especially when you consider that Vampire bats are only found in Central and
Real Vampire bats (micro) drink the blood of much larger animals (especially those who sleep standing up) and may be a nuisance but are way too small to drain an animal and cause their untimely death. They don’t even suck the blood because they don’t have hollow fangs they instead bite with their sharply pointed teeth and lap the blood up.
Okay enough about vampires; so why is it that bats sleep upside down? Because it’s the only way they can take flight. This allows them to fall, turn midair and fly. Unorthodox to say the least but effective none the less. They are able to hang on while sleeping because the muscles in their feet tighten their grip as they slumber. As a result of this if they die while asleep, they will stay upside down in death, until something physically dislodges them.
For all the fear and loathing associated with bats they are quite beneficial to mankind. Most species eat insects greatly helping to reduce these pests numbers, even better they are especially fond of mosquitoes. Also think of them as large bees as they help with pollination and seed dispersal. Even the vampire bat only drinks about a teaspoon of blood a night, and that’s not really too terrifying when you think about it.