• Pipe Spring National Monument

    Pipe Spring

    National Monument Arizona

Bats

Bat
Bat caught in bat trap at Pipe Spring National Monument
 
What starts its day at night, uses sound to find its food, and spends at least half of its life upside down?

If you said "a bat", you're right!

Few facts:

  • There are nearly 1,000 types of bats, in an incredible variety of appearances
  • Bats detect food and objects by echolocation
  • Bats can eat over 1,000 mosquito sized insects in one night
  • Bats live almost everywhere, but they are found in caves, buildings, and bridges the most
  • Bats that feed on blood, don't actually suck blood. They make a small cut on an animal and lap up the blood (like dog laps water) that flows out
  • Bats are not mice with wings - they are actually more closely related to humans than mice
 
Bats of Pipe Spring National Monument
Bats of Pipe Spring National Monument
 

Did You Know?

Longhorn steer at Pipe Spring National Monument

Texas Longhorns have their own built-in heating and cooling system.  Their huge horns are filled with blood vessels that dilate or constrict, depending on whether the cattle need to be warm or cool. More...