When Les asked us back to talk to the Langford Beavers we jumped at the chance. Yet again the lively beavers listened quietly and with real interest as I did the talk. At the end here was time for questions, and some good questions they were too. I thought I would share some. I hadn’t got my photos on the laptop I used to give the talk, so thiought I would put them here
What is the biggest bat?
Indian flying fxc. Photo James Hanlon. Beds Bat Group
The indian flying fox has a wing span of between 1.2 nd 1.5m ( 4-5 fet in old money) and weighs up to 1.5Kg. t’s body is about the size pf a small dog ( or a modern kettle)
What is the smallest bat?
Kiti’s Hognosed bat or the bumblebee bat . It is tiny, has very long legs and throws a tantrum when caught. It is found in Thailand and is very rare.
Bumble bee bat Photo Daniel Hargreaves
It is also known as Kiti’s hog nosed bat. It has a rather pig like nose and Kiti was the man who found it in caves in Trinidad
What is the ugliest bat?
Photo of Centurio senex by Daniel Hargreaves
I think this has to win! Found in South America and Trinidad. I would love to see one.
What is the weirdest bat?
see above, but another strange one I have seen is the Ghost faced bat, which I met in Trinidad.
Mormoops megalophylla. Photo Jude Hirstwood
What is the most beautiful bat?
I think it has to be the painted bat from Thailand. At night they fly as normal bats do, but in the daytime they flutter like butterflies.
Photo of Painted Bat by Bob Cornes
Pianted bat. Photo Jude HIrstwood
They colours get brightest in the breeding season. These bats are unusual as they pair for life
Which bat has the most beautiful eyes?
This had me stumped and i still think my answer of ” all bats eyes are beautiful” is true but this bat which I saw in Trinidad in March 2014 is one of my favourites
.
If you want to look at more wierd and wonderful bats from Trinidad, visit the Trinibats website. I have been lucky enough to go on four adventures with them and I have written accounts of some of encounters with bats which you can find on the Articles page of this website. (Scroll down the page until you get to the Bats Abroad section)