We now know that this sixth sense is sonar or echolocation. Bats produce high-pitched beeps or clicks and listen for the echoes of these sounds as they are reflected off objects. Most of these sounds are a higher pitch than a human's range of hearing. With 17 species, British Columbia has more bats than any other part of Canada. We have none of the exotic tropical species, but our bats have managed to cope with the Canadian winter, a season of cold temperatures and few insects for food.
Bats have a long history of persecution.
However, man has become increasingly aware of these unique animals and there is growing concern about the impact of pesticides, disturbance and habitat destruction on their populations. Barbour, R.W. and W.H. Davis. 1969. Bats of America. The University Press of Kentucky. McTaggart-Cowan, I. and C.J. Guiguet. 1965.