Bats are not known for being cuddly or cute. In popular culture, they’re often portrayed as scary, bloodthirsty creatures that will attack humans without hesitation. However, in reality, bats are fascinating animals with a wide range of different species and an array of interesting behaviors. While most people won’t have the opportunity to meet a bat in person, you might be surprised to learn that there are many people who have adopted these creatures as pets. Whether your interest is academic or personal, this article will give you everything you need to know about bats: what they look like, how they behave, and whether or not they bite humans, and if so, do their bites itch?
Do Bat Bites Itch?
Yes, it does. Bats are amazing animals that deserve our appreciation, but they can also be dangerous. A bat’s teeth are sharp and pointed, and the animal can bite deeply if it feels threatened. The CDC reports that nearly 1 in 5 bat bites become infected, and some of these infections are life-threatening. Bats may carry rabies, so it is important to avoid getting bitten. If you do get bit by a bat, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Why Do Bats Bite Humans?
1. Bats Have a Nasty Bite
A bat’s bite can be very dangerous, especially if they are suffering from a disease. Bats may carry diseases that they can pass on to humans, such as rabies or histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection that can cause fever, headache, and muscle aches. It can be fatal if untreated, so if you are bitten by a bat and have an open wound, it is important to get medical attention. Bats have sharp teeth that are similar in structure to rodent teeth. Their teeth are specially designed for chewing insects, which is a large part of their diet. Bats don’t have the same concerns about cavities and gum disease that humans do, so their teeth can build up a great deal of dirt and bacteria. Humans can contract diseases from being bitten by a bat and from coming into contact with their saliva.
2. Bats Are Suffering From Disease
A bat that is suffering from an illness such as rabies may not be able to control the part of its brain that gives the “stop biting” signal. Rabies can be fatal to both humans and animals, and it is easily transmitted through a bite or other bodily fluid contact. Any animal can be infected with rabies and pass it on to humans. Bats can be infected with other diseases as well. If you see bats in a place where they shouldn’t be, such as in your home or near a child’s playground, it could be a sign that the bats are sick. Bats that are sick may look sick, such as having a pale color or appearing lethargic. They may also have difficulty flying, or they may fly in places that they normally wouldn’t, like indoors or close to humans. If you see a bat that appears sick, it is important to call animal control.
3. Humans May Smell Like Food to Bats
Bats are nocturnal animals, which means that they are active when it is dark. Humans are most awake and active during the day, so these two times are completely different for bats. Bats that are out in the daytime may be searching for food, which may include humans. Bats may be able to smell the CO2 coming out of our breath, which is the same smell that is released from carbonated drinks and sodas. Bats may mistake the CO2 smell coming from humans for food. Bats are able to smell things that humans can’t, so they may be drawn to humans even if they aren’t drinking a carbonated beverage. Bats may be drawn to humans because of their body heat, which is a lot warmer than the surrounding air.
4. Bats May Be Confused by Bright Lights
Many people find bats in their homes, and it may seem like they attacked without provocation. Bats may actually be confused by the light inside your home and are looking for a way out. If you find a bat in your home, it may be helpful to turn on a light that shines brightly on the door that the bat is near. This may help the bat find an exit. Bats are more sensitive to light than humans, so a bright light may be too much for them to handle. Bats may be confused by the brightness of the light and mistake it for an exit. If you want to help a bat in your home, it may be helpful to turn on a light in the room near the bat, then open a door or window that the light is shining near. Bats aren’t trying to attack humans, but their confusion may lead them to bite when they try to leave.
5. Bats May be protecting their Young
Female bats are very protective of their young. If you enter an area where bats are raising their young, they will do everything they can to protect them. Bats may attack humans that get too close to them since they are very sensitive to loud noises and vibrations. Bats will defend their young by biting the intruder. Female bats often have sharp teeth that they use to tear into their prey when they feed. If you see a bat near a place where humans are, it is best to avoid it. Bats are very sensitive to sound and movement, so getting as far away from them as possible is ideal.
What Do Bat Bites Look Like?
- Bats are small mammals that feed on insects. They are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night. Most bats are insectivores – they make up around 90% of the world’s mammal species that eat insects.
- Bats are also the only mammals capable of true flight. They use a type of sonar to navigate and hunt in total darkness. While we might think of bats as cute and cuddly, this is not always the case.
- Bats in general have very small, weak bites that are unlikely to break the skin. If a bat bites a human, it is usually not because it has a bad temper, but because it has been startled and has bitten in self-defense.
- A bat bite can be identified by red, raised skin that may itch. If there is any sign of infection at the site of a bat bite, you should seek medical attention. Bats are known to host a number of different diseases, so you’re at high risk of contracting an infection if you’re bitten by one. You might not notice the infection until it has progressed to a serious level.
How To Treatment A Bat Bite?
- Bites are usually not painful, but they can become infected. You should always seek medical attention if you’ve been bitten by a bat. The best way to avoid being bitten is to simply avoid the bats altogether. If you find one in your home or a place you frequent regularly, contact animal control immediately to have them removed and tested for rabies.
- Bats can be found throughout the world in a variety of different habitats. They tend to prefer dark, warm places like caves, attics, and barns. When bats are roosting in your home, you might notice that there is an unpleasant odor present and that your food supplies are disappearing at an alarming rate! Most people don’t want bats living in their homes, so it’s important that you call animal control as soon as possible if you discover them there. Bats can cause serious damage to your property and spread disease to people and pets
- If you’ve been bitten by a bat, you should get medical treatment as soon as possible. You may be given antibiotics and a rabies vaccine, depending on the circumstances of the bite.
- If the bat was infected with rabies, you will also be given a course of anti-viral medication to make sure the infection is cleared from your body. If you don’t get medical treatment after being bitten by a bat, you run the risk of developing a severe infection. In rare cases, you might even die from complications related to the infection.
- If you’re bitten by a bat, the best thing you can do is keep calm and wash the wound thoroughly. Don’t try to remove any hairs or teeth that might be stuck in the skin; they will likely come out naturally as your body heals. Get medical treatment as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Bats are fascinating creatures, but they can be dangerous if you’re bitten. You should get medical treatment as soon as possible after being bitten by a bat, especially if it’s infected with a rabies virus. Additionally, you should keep the bite wound clean so it doesn’t become infected.
