In the Czech Republic, there 26 kinds of bats, which is compared with the total number of representatives of this group in the world (1300) actually modest number. This figure is certainly not definitive. In Europe over the last twenty years, described the ten new, hitherto completely unknown species, and this trend is even more pronounced in the world. Paradise bats in Europe rather Balkans and the Mediterranean coastal states than our relatively cold country. That does not mean that we in our population did not care, or that the bats would not deserve our attention. Even the number twenty-six species had demonstrated the immense variety and diversity of this entire group of animals.
Those representatives of the smallest bats living in our reach adulthood weighing just 3.5 grams. The largest up to ten times as much, about 36 g. Such smallest bat (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) is not bigger than your thumb, while the rusty bat (Nyctalus noctula) covers the wings of both your palms. And equally varied are their strategies when it comes to hunting prey, ground movements or hibernating. But what they have in common but our bats? Perhaps that they are excellent fliers. At short range, they are able to develop a speed of 50 kilometers per hour! The ability to fly had developed about sixty million years ago, during a complicated evolutionary process. Sometimes we tend to talk about them as flying mice, but this is not accurate. Rather than the winged rodents are closer to other insectivores, small shrews, hedgehogs extension.
Unlike urchins but they are extremely sociable creatures bats. In summer based parent colonies in which the world gather several hundred pieces. From these colonies, often hidden in an old steam pipeworks, under bridges or hollow trees, then set off in the early evening to hunt. Although it can not be said that they have yet downright helped, but the squadron of bats rattles insects and pushes him forward, making him another nadhání. Some species feed on insects rapid flight in open airspace above the ground, other species slowly flitting in the trees, collect more insects from the ground or from the water. Of these dogfights over our heads too much, unfortunately we see happening in fact mostly at dusk. In the autumn, waiting for the bats, another important duty: mating.
With decreasing temperature, and the approaching winter wanes insects, and bats must seek more stable shelter. Serves as a wintering bats various caves or artificial shafts, tunnels and abandoned mines deep dungeon. In these isolated and inaccessible places, bats and they feel safe because there is no such significant temperature fluctuations, and get to them no predators. This is important because during the winter the bats are defenseless. In order to survive the long period of cold and absolute lack of food, they decide to partially "disabled". So definitely not: only slow down your body's power consumption to a minimum. How it looks? Reduces body temperature close to zero, stops the digestive movements, breathing slows dramatically. And also dampen activity of the heart. It minute during a wild flight hits 400-800. Now, however, hardly 4-16 at the same time. From that hibernation is wake up the spring breeze.
This gimmick to outlast neúživné a harsh term but is also used during the year when they are active. In a state of stupor wait through the cold spring night. Their life is simply defined by extremes: highly challenging activity in which lavishes energy to drive air traffic and navigation systems, and the peace and downtime when a powerful fighters resting motionless in the hangar. Out of these tiny information it is not clear what conditions are to preserve our bats necessary. In addition to the insect diet is essential to them the presence of the aforementioned summer and winter shelters. The suitable wintering are indeed able to withdraw up to stokilometrových distances (and wait through this together together representatives of various kinds), and if there's nobody in hibernation interfere, manage to survive here alone. Worse, it is a summer colonies: with how a person increasingly extends into the surrounding landscape, in fact declining old trees with cavities or suitable rock outcrops. Bats would in principle not mind. Landscape altered by people because their monochromatic vision read differently. The wall of a large block of flats or old soil for them is just as convenient as a lone rock. Especially when under thermal insulation can find some one cavity.
And then on the people to a species that can be modified in landscape orientation, they managed to come out for good. Safe existence of such parent colony, where from May to June females give birth to pups, it is necessary for our bats. Although it may seem strange, that if in a given region, bats occur or not, on the contrary, may of our country a lot to tell us himself. Bats us because their presence will issue certificates for the existing landscape management. Sufficient shelters offer a wide selection of insect food reflects the overall mosaicity administered territory. Just the view from the perspective of the bat: The rugged area in the Czech Karst or the Trebon region versus giant expanses of fields Louny or South Moravia. The first is a bat paradise, the other opposite. And no surprise that the countries that are "like" bats suits a wide range of unrelated species of amphibians after birds. Bats are simply a biological indicator of environmental quality.
Author: Radomír Dohnal
Source: Ekolist.cz
