Bats+in+Your+Belfry

Bats in Your Belfry THINKING ABOUT OUR BATTITUDES (from //Discover Bats!// by Merlin Tuttle): You are not alone if you have ever been afraid of bats. It's easy to fear mysterious animals that fly at night. So many bad things have been said about bats that people who don't understand them often think they are blind, spooky creatures that will chase you, bite you, get caught in your hair, or suck your blood -- especially on Halloween. Some think that bats live in haunted houses and can become monsters like Dracula. You have probably heard negative expressions about bats, such as: "blind as a bat," "going batty," and having "bats in your belfry." None of these fears and superstitions is true. The truth is that bats are among the most gentle, helpful, and misunderstood mammals in the world. Bats can see well. They can navigate in the dark. They don't get caught in people's hair. They don't attack people. Nevertheless, you should never attempt to handle a bat. It might become frightened and bite in self-defense. Any bat that can be caught may be sick, and a bite from any animal may require vaccination against rabies as a safety measure. You do not need to fear even a sick bat //if you simply leave it alone.// As you learn more about bats, you will discover not only a lot of interesting facts about bats' behaviors and characteristics, but how vital they are to the balance of nature. GOOD BAT ATTITUDES:
 * The Chinese consider bats symbols of good fortune and happiness. The Asian symbol that represents health, long life, wealth, virtue and natural death is called Wu-fu; it depicts five bats with touching wings, surrounding the symbol of long life.
 * Some Central American natives thought bats were winged gods who controlled the cycles of nature.
 * Navajo Indians believed that bats were a link between gods and people and could offer people helpful guidance.
 * And what about Batman? His popularity has, in fact, helped to improve kids' attitudes about bats.


 * == Bats (The Good Guys) ==

|| by Virginia Calder On a warm summer night, from towns east to west, The mosquitoes will bite without stopping to rest.

But at twilight the bats are out ready to eat Those annoying mosquitoes before they retreat.

Echolocation is a bat's way Of sending out echoes that bounce off its prey.

When sound waves return to its ears a bat knows Where a flying bug is and can track where it goes.

As they zoom through the night with eyes so keen, They swoop to the ground to eat bugs they've seen.

One little brown bat will often devour Hordes of mosquitoes in just an hour.

There's never a danger when bats are in flight. It's bugs, not people, they attack in the night.

The farmer is pleased because bats are his pride, They prove much better than a pesticide. ||

To investigate bat characteristics and behaviors, log on to [|this site.]

Learn about the [|Natural History of Bats.]

Here are some [|fun facts] about bats.

[|More information] about bats.

Learn about [|echolocation]

What happens when [|bats are a problem]?

How can you get rid of [|unwanted bats in your home?] At the end of this link there is a bats.com link to give specific information about bat removal.

What characteristics distinguish [|bats as mammals?]

Find out all about [|bats in Tennessee.]

The [|Nature Conservancy of Tennessee] website contains much information about bat populations in our state.

View the video about bats and complete the quiz given to you by your teacher.



**Before building your bat house:**  Read these [|guidelines] for building the bat house.

Be sure to check out the tips for [|attracting bats] to their new home.

Know how to protect your bat house from [|predators.]

Now you are ready to [|build!]