Description
Bats are furry intelligent flying mammals which live for up to
thirty years. There are fourteen species of bat resident in the
United Kingdom, the most common being the Pipistrelle.
Biology and Habitat
All British Bats feed on insects caught in flight or picked off
water, the ground or foliage; one Pipistrelle may eat up to 3,500
insects each night.
Bats mate after the age of two years and produce a single
offspring but not always every year. Bats are not blind but their
most highly developed sense is that of hearing and by emitting high
frequency sound they use a form of sonar to identify fine detail
even in complete darkness so enabling the avoidance of
obstacles.
Bats need a variety of roost sites for use at different times of
the year. They are particularly vulnerable where they concentrate
for hibernation in winter and where females gather in maternity
colonies in summer. The principle sites are underground habitats,
such as caves, tunnels, buildings and trees.
Importance
Bats are locally harmless creatures and their presence does not
constitute a risk to health, although their droppings can become
smelly if they become damp.
Control
It is illegal to intentionally kill, injure or handle any bat.
To intentionally damage, destroy or obstruct access to any place
that a bat uses for shelter or protection or to disturb a bat while
it is occupying such a place.
Further Information
You can find out more about Bats, including what to do if you
find them in your property by contacting:
Natural England
Roughmoor, Bishop's Hull
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 5AA
Tel: +44 (0)1823 283211
Fax: +44 (0)1823 272978
Email: somerset@naturalengland.org.uk
