AWF: Wildlife: Bat - 0 views
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After rodents, bats are the most numerous mammals on earth.
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Males have a bright orange ruff and wings are black, which contrast with the tawny body fur.
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African bats fall into two major categories large fruit bats and smaller, insect-eating bats, none of which attack people.
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Bats are primarily found in forests and savannas. Colonies of bats roost together in tall trees.
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In some parts of Africa straw-colored fruit bats are considered a delicacy. Elsewhere they are considered pests and killed to prevent the destruction of fruit crops. Studies, however, have shown that bats only eat very ripe and unmarketable fruit and may even help reduce fungi and fruit flies in commercial plantations. Bats are also slaughtered because of superstitions and the musky odors and noise emanating from their roosting places.
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Bats, like most wild animals, will bite if handled, but if left alone they normally will avoid contact.
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Bats are versatile. The insect-eating type is a natural pesticide. Bat excrement, called guano, is sold as fertilizer. And seed dispersal and pollination activities of certain bats help tropical forests survive.