Specimen of the Month: Mythical Bats
Despite our best efforts to spread the good word about Wisconsin's bats, many still associate them with rather spooky activities--think carrying rabies, entangling themselves in human hair, or even embodying mythical creatures like vampires. While the latter is less likely a true misunderstanding, bats remain surrounded by a variety of myths. These myths detract from the beneficial qualities of a vulnerable mammal in our state. As a nod to one of those myths perpetuated by certain festivities late this month, our Specimen of the Month display highlights the Little Brown Bat.
Last year the Museum added a little brown bat specimen (Myotis lucifugus) to its collection, prepared as a taxidermy mount. The preparation was completed by our own Collections Monitor, who was aware of the very slight chance of transmitting the rabies virus through handling even a dead specimen. Rabies is primarily carried through saliva. Even the saliva left on fur or teeth may cause infection if exposed to an open wound on the handler. So, while our Monitor doesn't always use protective gloves while preparing specimens, he makes a point to do so when handling salvaged animals known to carry the virus. With all that said, the most common bat species in the country has been attributed to only three human cases of rabies since 1990.
The common worry of bats becoming entangled in human hair likewise has little connection with actual occurrences. Certainly, some of us know a distant relative or friend of a friend who has experienced the momentary horror of a small creature flying too close for comfort. Perhaps it was a case of that individual standing in an entryway that the bat meant to pass through, or the bat was attracted to insects pooled around a nearby light source. Whatever the cause may have been, I doubt the bat had any devious motives.
Speaking of devious, what sparked the connection between bats and the undead bloodsuckers of modern folklore anyways? Most notably, they both share the taste for blood. However, only three of over 1,300 species of bats worldwide will feed on the blood of larger mammals. Europeans were first introduced to these “vampire bats” in the 1500’s when they came to South America, and it wasn’t until Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel in the late 1800’s that the folklore of bats as vampires was firmly established. Fortunately for those still wary, none of Wisconsin's seven bat species feed on animal blood. Rather, they tend to be insectivores. Little brown bats specifically feed on mosquitoes, gnats, wasps, and other soft-bodied insects, making them a wonderfully natural form of pest control.
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| This little brown bat specimen will be out for display for the duration of October. |
The common worry of bats becoming entangled in human hair likewise has little connection with actual occurrences. Certainly, some of us know a distant relative or friend of a friend who has experienced the momentary horror of a small creature flying too close for comfort. Perhaps it was a case of that individual standing in an entryway that the bat meant to pass through, or the bat was attracted to insects pooled around a nearby light source. Whatever the cause may have been, I doubt the bat had any devious motives.
Speaking of devious, what sparked the connection between bats and the undead bloodsuckers of modern folklore anyways? Most notably, they both share the taste for blood. However, only three of over 1,300 species of bats worldwide will feed on the blood of larger mammals. Europeans were first introduced to these “vampire bats” in the 1500’s when they came to South America, and it wasn’t until Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel in the late 1800’s that the folklore of bats as vampires was firmly established. Fortunately for those still wary, none of Wisconsin's seven bat species feed on animal blood. Rather, they tend to be insectivores. Little brown bats specifically feed on mosquitoes, gnats, wasps, and other soft-bodied insects, making them a wonderfully natural form of pest control.
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| The outline of a bat has become as essential to Halloween decorations as pumpkins or vampire teeth. |
During the month of October, visitors may find the small specimen of a little brown bat hanging by its feet in the Museum lobby. Upon everyone's close inspection, I imagine "cute" will come to mind much more readily than "scary."