Bats, which are unique in the animal kingdom with their unique stance, spend most of their lives in this way, with their strong muscles, like acrobatic artists swinging on sticks.
Although this strange upside-down position of gravity-defying bats may seem very uncomfortable to us, it actually represents a kind of rebirth for them. Because in this way, they are preparing for a new day by refreshing their bodies, but let’s not lie, we were surprised for some reason!
Now let’s imagine: It’s dark at night, you see something upside down on a tree branch! Don’t be afraid, you are dealing with a bat doing its daily exercise.
Bats, unlike other animals, apply various vital strategies because they are active at night. These actually explain to us why they stand upside down while they develop naturally.
They spend more energy required for their flights than other animals. Because, unlike species living on land, they need large energy reserves to continue their activities in the air. That’s why bats have acquired the habit of resting in an upside-down position, acting like real experts in saving energy.
This posture helps them conserve energy more effectively than if they were perched in a horizontal position or standing upright.
Bats’ aerial agility, which is necessary for hunting during the night, is supported by an advantage they gain thanks to their upside-down perching position.
“How?” We seem to hear you say. Namely, bats have the ability to quickly transition from rest to flight when suspended upside down, which allows them to quickly react to the presence of their prey.
In other words, standing upside down compared to standing normally allows them to take flight immediately. These features are critical for night hunting because they can move quickly.
Of course, this is not just limited to energy saving. This also minimizes the outflow of fluids from the bats’ bodies, such as urine and saliva. This protective approach helps bats consciously protect their resources and thus survive longer, especially during periods when food is limited.
The joints in their feet are equipped with special structures.
These amazing animals can take flight quickly when suspended upside down, as we just said. This strange-sounding situation accelerates their transition from resting to hunting mode and allows them to react more quickly to the presence of their prey.
In addition, it is a kind of defense mechanism for them. Normally, the most vulnerable position represents the safest position for bats.
We can say that by doing this, they avoid being potential prey, especially for terrestrial predators. Because in this way, they both maintain a safe stance and are in an inaccessible position. Not to mention that they are camouflaged.
You may have seen groups of bats perched together, even in photographs. The main reason for this is that communal roosting behaviors have developed.
In this case, there is some kind of communication among bats, as among animals, and the community in this situation is usually friends with each other.
We can also add that they stand like this to maintain their body temperature and prevent blood accumulation. The circulatory system of these intelligent animals is characterized by a remarkable adaptation: the ability to prevent blood from pooling in the extremities when they stand upside down.
This feature specifically prevents blood from accumulating on the bats’ wings and lower body. In this way, blood circulates freely in the body. When they leave rest mode and take flight quickly, their blood flows rapidly.
In other words, with this adaptation, the circulatory system of bats performs quickly and effectively, similar to the fast action scenes of a superhero.
Above all, their ability to stand upside down not only provides them with these things; At the same time, in the animal kingdom, “it’s cooler to hang from the ceiling than to hang out on the floor!” It adds an atmosphere that will make you say.