Support a species: Batty about bats

Bats play an important role to our environment. Over 500 plant species rely on bats to pollinate their flowers including Cacao so next time you eat chocolate you can thank bats!

a bat in flight

Bat facts

Bats can live up to 30 years old and fly at speeds of up to 60mph.
Bats are the only truly flying mammal.
There are 18 bat species found in the UK.
Bats hunt their prey of flying insects using echolocation.
Bats are responsible for the pollination of cacao.

How you can help

Bats need our help to provide roosts and insect rich habitats which they feed on.

You can help bats by:

  • Planting night scented flowers such as Primroses and Scabious.
  • Building a pond.
  • Allowing wildflowers and plants to grow.
  • Installing a bat box.
  • Keeping cats indoors at night.
  • Reducing or removing artificial lighting.

Threats to bats

Many bat species are considered vulnerable or endangered as a result of habitat loss, fragmentation, a diminished food supply, destruction of roosts and disease.

Bat numbers have declined significantly over the past 100 years, despite being protected species’ in the UK.

Spotting bats

The campus has six recorded species of bats, identified by the frequency and patterns their calls make using a bat detector.

Although their nocturnal nature makes bats hard to spot, you may catch a glimpse of them at dusk.