Fishing bats fly over the surface of the water, use echolocation to find the fish, grab it with their talons, and then move it into their mouth. They make a small V-shaped cut in the animal's skin with a bite, then lick up the blood. A chemical in the bat's saliva keeps the blood from clotting before they're done eating. This chemical could have medical uses for humans. Investigations are being done to see if this chemical can help humans who have blood clots that could cause strokes.
Bats are responsible for pollinating trees, flowers, and cacti.
They spread seeds so plants grow in new areas. Bats pollinate avocados, bananas, breadfruit, dates, figs, mangoes and peaches. Bats live together by the millions and each can eat half its weight in insects a night, so they are effective at controlling large numbers of pests that harm crops and spread disease. Certain microorganisms found in bat droppings may have important medical uses for humans. Bats need your help Without active conservation programs, bats face extinction.