Bats — Reading Comprehension Lesson

Reading Passage

Bats

Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight, and they make up roughly one-fifth of all mammal species on Earth. With around 900 species, bats live on every continent except Antarctica, ranging from tiny bumblebee bats weighing less than a penny to large flying foxes with wingspans of six feet.

Most bats are nocturnal insect hunters that navigate using echolocation — emitting high-pitched sound pulses and interpreting the returning echoes to detect prey and obstacles in complete darkness. A single bat can catch hundreds of mosquitoes and other insects per hour, making bats one of nature’s most effective pest controllers.

Vampire bats, found only in Latin America, feed on the blood of large animals like cattle. They rarely harm their hosts, but their saliva contains a powerful anticlotting chemical that scientists are studying as a potential treatment for stroke patients. Most bat species, however, eat fruit, nectar, or insects.

Bats play critical roles in ecosystems beyond insect control. Fruit bats and nectar-feeding bats pollinate plants and spread seeds across wide areas. In winter, many bat species hibernate in caves or migrate to warmer regions. Bat guano, or droppings, is a rich nitrogen fertilizer historically harvested for agriculture.

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