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In the depths, where the bats live!
Many Bats spend the winter under ground in the Silver Mine, it is difficult to count them, but they number in the thousands.
During the winter Bats hibernate and lower their body temperature to the temperature of their surroundings. In the Mine the temperature is at a constant +5 C, which is very suitable for the Bats. Visitors to the Mine during the winter season can often see the Bats, asleep, hanging upside down on the walls.
The Bat’s hibernation period starts in September and ends around April, depending on which species they are and where they have chosen to hibernate.
With the onset of spring the Bats come to life. They sleep during the day and fly at night, hunting for food. Their food consists of insects, mainly mosquitoes. Other delicacies are dragonflies, beetles, spiders, ants and butterflies.
The Bat’s have a type of sonar system that enables them to make their way perfectly in the dark,
whilst hunting for food.
The Bat’s hunting call consists of a short but strong sound, which is repeated in quick succession. The sound bounces off the insect returning to the Bat thus enabling it to judge how far away the insect is. The Bat’s short, high frequency shrieks measure between 20-60 kHz. All species of Bat, bar the Long-Eared, emit sound through their mouth; the Long-eared does this through its nose.
Bats do not lay eggs but bear living young, only one per female, it takes approximately 5 weeks before the young are ready to fly. Before they can fly they cling onto their mothers stomach when she is out hunting.
It is thought that there are around about 9 species of Bat in Sala not all of these; however, spend the winter in the Mine.
Bats have a fairly long life span and can live to be 30 years old.
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Nesting in thousands. Researchers have established that there are at least 9 species of Bat in Sala, not all of these spend their winter in the Mine.
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INFORMATION!
