2007-09-26 21:58:52 · 4 answers · asked by ultramyk 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
I doubt this is true. If you have observed this, it may be a result of the local environment (free flight paths etc).
Bats may circle after leaving a roost to align themselves with the local magnetic gradient - they use the earth's magnetic field to navigate - so this is what you may have witnessed.
2007-09-26 23:05:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bats use a sonar system of sound with a frequency of about 50 thousand vibrations per second. (A human can barely detect 20,000 vibrations per second) It sends these sounds in all directions 20 or 30 times each second. The echo of the sound is so powerful that the bat understands the existence of objects in its path. A bat flies into clear space rather than an area where there are objects. But to answer your question In the Northern Hemisphere, bats exit their caves to their left. In the Southern Hemisphere, they exit to the right. This is due to the coriolis effect, the same force which causes hurricanes and tornadoes to rotate counter-clockwise north of the equator and clockwise south of the equator. This effect is an inertial force caused by the earth's rotation.
2016-05-19 22:15:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I remember observing the bat flight out of Carlsbad Caverns and the ranger said the reason for they circled the way they did was due to the shape of the cave entrance. So at different caves they will go different ways.
2007-09-28 14:37:16 · answer #3 · answered by Tin Can Sailor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are liberals ?
"Just kidding"
2007-09-27 02:53:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋