Since bats are blind,why are they nocturnal?Is it because that's when their food is more abundant?

Question

I was wondering if maybe they can see just not real well?Also I thought maybe it's due to the fact that their would be less predators after them at night time?

Answer 1

First, bats in general are not blind. In fact, the large fruit-eating bats (Megachiropterans) have large eyes and good vision. And some bats even see the ultraviolet! See here:
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v425/n6958/abs/nature01971.html

During their evolution, most chiropterans adopted a nocturnal hunting habit. We don't know why it happened (evolution explains how, not why) but once the characteristic arose, it seems clear that occupying such an ecological niche was advantageous: not only provides protection from diurnal predators, but also less competition from other animals that feed on the same resources, which may be insects, flowers, fruits, etc., as you have mentioned.

It's not that they "have" to fly at night, this is a characteristic given by their evolutionary history. Some bats took the evolutionary path towards small size and echolocation; those are the ones with small eyes and large ears. They don't use their eyes as much as their sense of hearing, and their eyes may be relatively small, but they're still functional.


Check out other versions of your question, and the answers they received:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Apu_ED_AXZ3TerP.6wihg6YjzKIX?qid=1006040314035

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AoDX6IzC9DHG4saywBrgLokjzKIX?qid=1006011301303


BTW, I think Dedum forgot to quote some sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat
http://www.si.edu/RESOURCE/FAQ/nmnh/batfacts.htm

;-)

Answer 2

"Although the eyes of most microbat species are small and poorly developed, their sense of vision is typically very good, especially at long distances, beyond the range of echolocation. Their senses of smell and hearing are excellent.
Although various bat species eat different kinds of food, the vast majority consume a variety of insects such as moths, beetles, gnats, and crickets. In this respect, the bat's nocturnal behavior provides certain advantages. Enormous numbers of insects fly at night, and with the exception of spiders, there are few competitors for such food. Other than the occasional owl or snake, there are also few predators that can capture or pursue a bat in the dark. Night brings cool temperatures which help dissipate the heat generated by the muscular activity of flight. Because the bat has a thin wing membrane, flying during the heat of the day could be hazardous causing excessive absorption of heat and resulting in dehydration and possible heat prostration. Nocturnality offers protection from the heat and helps the bat maintain its body temperature and moisture."

Answer 3

I don't know where you get your information. But Filipino people only eat 3 times a day and maybe a snack or "merienda" in the afternoon. And how can you say that "eating system/habit" of the Philippines is a factor that's dragging the country into poverty. Are you serious? People should eat when they are hungry! And NO, Filipinos doesn't need 2-3 hours a day just to cook a regular meal. I don't know anyone who take that much time to cook just for normal lunch or dinner.

Answer 4

Bats are not blind, they can actually see quite well, but they depend mostly on smell and echo-location (kind of like sonar) to find their food. Night is when their food is more plentiful and bats are less likely to be detected by their prey.

Answer 5

Actually, it is more likely that they are blind (or hard of sight really, I don't think they're totally blind) because they are nocturnal. There are a decent number animals that have lost their eyesight through evolution because light was not available to them.

Bats don't need light to see because they use something kinda like sonar to "see". They emit high pitched sounds and listen to the echoes to see how far away objects are.

They feed on bugs like moths and crickets, which are out mostly at night, so that's when they go out to feed.

Answer 6

bats can see fine. maybe they're nocturnal cuz their food soucre (insects) are most vulnerable, maybe that's just how their genetic make-up works.

and I heard some species are day bound (sorry, I don't know how to spell dyurnal), correct me if I'm wrong somebody...

Answer 7

bats are not blind