Brilliant Bats

Mysterious and unique, most of us will only catch a glimpse of bats as they dart through the night sky hunting for insects. Misunderstandings can arise from just not knowing much about them, despite the fact that one in four mammal species is a bat!

Not only are bats the only mammal capable of flight, but they also stand out as one of the most fascinating and diverse animal groups in the UK. A great indicator of biodiversity, bats can help scientists tell if a landscape is healthy or not too.

We want everyone to know more about these stars of the night sky and why now, more than ever, they need our help and protection.

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So why are bats so cool?

Find out with our top bat facts!  

• They can navigate across continents and back to the same roost site every year…in the dark! 
• Bats possess the fastest moving muscles ever found in mammals – these muscles in the bat’s larynx can contract 200 times a second, emitting a sound every time. On a decibel level this can be as loud as a road drill!  
• Some species in the UK travel vast distances to remote cave systems across featureless landscapes to mate. They gather there from all across the surrounding countryside from multiple colonies, like some sort of bat nightclub. 
• They are some of our rarest mammals in the UK with only a few thousand numbers of some species. 
• They can fly around cluttered woodland at night without flying into things, and catch flying prey at the same time. 
• They help control insects by feeding on them, including ones that are likely to bite you! A tiny Pipistrelle bat can eat up to 3,000 insects per night. 
• They are capable of suspended animation which means they can slow down their vital functions without dying as they hibernate through the winter. They can drop their heartbeat to as low as 4 beats per minute during this time! 

Our region is home to a remarkable diversity of bats, with 10 out of the 18 species found across all of Britain frequently spotted in the area. Some of the more elusive bat species, such as Natterer's and even Barbastelles, have been sighted on our nature reserves. Here are some of the unique bat species that call Hertfordshire and Middlesex home:

Bats need our help

What's truly terrifying about bats is that human activities in the last 60 years have caused a dramatic decline in their numbers. With roads and buildings replacing wild spaces, there are fewer of the wooded areas, ponds and open grass spaces that they rely on to feed and roost. On a more positive note, focused projects are helping us to learn more about different bat species and this knowledge is informing planning decisions, conservation management plans and showing us all what we can to do to help protect these creatures of the night.

What you can do

There are at least 15 million gardens in the UK, covering an area greater than all the National Nature Reserves combined - this means that our outdoor spaces are vitally important for wildlife, including bats. By taking small steps to make them more wildlife friendly we can make a huge difference! 

Be a bat ambassador  

Another way you can help bats is to encourage others to join our mission to protect bats and their homes. 

Being a bat ambassador is as easy as telling your friends and family how cool and friendly bats really are. Share the fantastic bat facts you've learned and show them that bats are nothing to be scared of. We all can take action to protect these wonderful creatures and their homes. So, be a voice for bats and help us spread the word!