The decline in bat populations Bats and the law Bat boxes at Wakehurst Place Important organisations Bats With almost 1000 species, bats represent one of the most successful groups of mammals. Unfortunately nearly all species are now in steady decline due to human pressures on the environment. They are found throughout the world, although the majority live in the tropics. Thirty species are found in Europe and of these 14 occur in Britain.
Bats are the only mammals capable of sustained flight and most fly and hunt between dusk and dawn.
Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind although in complete darkness eyesight is useless. To overcome this problem bats have developed a form of sonar which enables them to hunt for prey and avoid obstacles at night. Bats achieve this by emitting a series of high-pitched squeaks which bounce off obstacles. By listening to the returning echoes they piece together an image of their surroundings. For their size, bats are amazingly long lived with life-spans of around 30 years not unknown.