this post was submitted on 27 Apr 2024
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Bats

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Bats are cool

Bats are the only true flying mammals. There are over 1,400 species of bats, and they can be found on nearly every part of the planet. Not only are they cute, they are also important...

Studying how bats use echolocation has helped scientists develop navigational aids for the blind. Without bats’ pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control we wouldn’t have bananas, avocados, mangoes, agave, or cacao… that’s right, bats bring us tequila and chocolate!

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Our community's mascot is Baxter. Baxter is an Egyptian fruit bat that was cruelly kept alone and confined to a small cage for 12 years before being rescued by a bat sanctuary. You can read the full story by clicking on his name.

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Everyone should feel welcome here. Hateful or bigoted language will not be tolerated.

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[–] Yondoza@sh.itjust.works 17 points 7 months ago (2 children)

This phrasing feels misleading. There isn't a ratchet system. The tendon that curls the toes or "holds on" is pulled by gravity so no muscles are used holding the toes closed in the hanging position. To let go the bats use muscles to relax this tendon and uncurl their toes.

[–] ickplant@lemmy.world 7 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

That's interesting, thanks for pointing that out. The phrasing came directly from this WWF article.

[–] Misanthrope@lemmy.ml 4 points 7 months ago

I came here for a "well-actually".

Thank you, it was informative.

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 8 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Sloths use their curved claws in a similar fashion but if they die sleeping they hang out dead until they decompose, separate and drop.

I wonder if that happens to bats too.

[–] ickplant@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

Damn, nature, you nasty. All kidding aside, that's fascinating. No idea if that happens to bats.

[–] Papanca@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago

Birds have something similar to not drop from a branch while sleeping. That's why their toes in death are curled together, those muscles are relaxed, so to speak

[–] rob64@startrek.website 2 points 7 months ago

Don't some/all birds have mechanisms for "locking" their legs/feet so that effort it's required to stay upright on a branch?