- What are insectivores?
- Big mouse-eared bat
- noctule bat
- water bat
- Pipistrelle
- bats help
- Bat beds
- Create a bat garden
- frequently asked Questions
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What native bats eat and how they capture their food depends on the species. Because the insectivores differ not only in appearance, but also in hunting.
In a nutshell
- native species are mainly insectivores
- Bats need to eat 20 to 50 percent of their body weight every day
- Searching for food can be supported by simple measures
- Fodder are often pests
What are insectivores?
Insectivores are animals that feed mainly or entirely on insects. This can include the following types:
- To fly
- beetles and ground beetles
- larvae
- moths or moths
- mosquitoes
- be crazy
Which animals are preferred and how the bats hunt their food depends on the species.
Big mouse-eared bat
Greater mouse-eared bats are also known as giant bats and have the scientific name Myotis myotis. They reach a length of about 7.2 centimeters and are mainly found in wooded regions.
The hunting behavior is adjusted accordingly. The animals fly close to the forest floor and capture insects. These are mainly:
- centipede
- beetle larvae
- ground beetle
- be crazy
noctule bat
The scientific name of the giant nocturnal bat is Nyctalus lasiopterus and it hunts in the air. Although the animals are only about ten centimeters long, they often fly several hundred meters above the ground and hunt their prey in a swoop like a bird of prey. These bats mainly eat:
- flying bugs
- big butterflies
- smaller migratory birds, especially in autumn
water bat
Water bats, as the name suggests, gather their food near bodies of water. Rivers, lakes, but also larger ponds in parks and gardens serve as hunting grounds for the Myotis daubentonii. Due to the small size of only 4.4 centimeters, their food consists primarily of smaller, flying insects such as:
- smaller dragonflies
- caddis flies
- mosquitoes
- water strider
- midges
Notice: However, the water bat is not only capable of foraging just above the surface. Smaller fish, larvae and other aquatic creatures can also serve as food.
Pipistrelle
The pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus weighs only about five grams and is about four centimeters long. Due to the low weight and small size, the prey animals are also very small. Popular foods these bats eat include:
- To fly
- smaller moths and butterflies
- mosquitoes
Notice: Like other bats, they also hunt at dusk and at night, so they often gather around streetlights. Because the insects are attracted to the light and lamps are therefore an ideal attraction.
bats help
A number of measures can be taken to help the various species of bats forage. These include, among others:
- Avoid using insecticides: If agents are used to control insects, two problems arise. On the one hand, the number of insects is reduced, which reduces the amount of food available to the bat population. On the other hand, insects that have already been poisoned can also damage bats.
- bat boxes: A special bat box offers shelter and protection for the animals, some of which are threatened with extinction. This allows them to settle down on the property or at least stay temporarily in the garden.
- Insect hotels: Setting up insect hotels attracts food for the different species of bats. They also make a valuable contribution to nature conservation.
- Garden pond: A garden pond that is as large as possible with a stepped bank area is a wonderful enrichment for your own greenery. It is a habitat for a large number of animals, serves as a water source for the local fauna and attracts numerous insects. The same applies to rain barrels.
- night lighting: Light sources mainly attract mosquitoes and moths at night. An energy-saving or solar-powered variant can serve as an ideal food source for bats, protect the environment and keep mosquito infestation low.
- natural corners: Similar to garden ponds or watercourses, semi-natural sections in the garden are a valuable contribution to the animal world and are by no means just for bats. In addition to numerous insects, hedgehogs also find shelter here. Heaps of leaves, taller grass, piles of branches - if you have the opportunity, you should let at least a small area in the garden become overgrown.
Build a bat box
Assisting in the search for food also has a number of advantages for garden owners. Since the bats mainly eat insects, they eliminate numerous pests and nuisances. Due to their high energy requirements, they sometimes eat up to ten insects per minute. This makes them particularly efficient in removing mosquitoes and the like.
Bat beds
Another possibility to attract one or the other bat and to provide them with food is to create so-called bat beds. This bed should have flowering plants that bloom at night, are rich in nectar and exude an intense fragrance.
These include, for example:
- ordinary catchfly
- soapwort
- chicory
The plants attract moths with their scent, which in turn represent an important food source for the nocturnal mammals.
Various shrubs have a similar effect, such as:
- elder
- liguster
- snowball
- Buddleia
Create a bat garden
In principle, creating a bat garden is very easy if a few basic points are observed. The following factors are important:
- varied planting
- flowering plants
- long grass
- natural design
- fruit trees
- Compost heap with nettles and weeds around
Instead of a short lawn, the grass should be allowed to grow taller in at least one area. Weeds - for example around the compost heap - also attract insects and thus provide food for the bats.
Also suitable for planting:
- lilac
- lilies
- cloves
- roses
frequently asked Questions
How do I know I have bats?The sounds emitted by bats can usually only be heard by children. It is more conspicuous when they nest in the attic or in hollow tree trunks. Anyone who wants to prevent this should provide bat boxes.
What to do if a bat is found?A young and apparently helpless animal can initially be taken to a sheltered and elevated place until dusk. In the case of injured animals, a veterinarian or an animal hospital must be informed. In any case, gloves must be worn when touching the animal to avoid bites.
Does a bat box make sense?Naturally available shelters such as hollow tree trunks, cracks in rocks and caves are no longer available to a sufficient extent in many regions. The attachment of bat boxes offers a sensible alternative.