Madison Bat Removal Tip:

5 Reasons why Bats Are Becoming Endangered

Although there are natural forces that can affect the population of bats, it is still urbanization and the increasing human activities that will have a long-term effect on the population of these flying mammals. While there are plants and animals that have benefitted from man-made alteration, it is still undeniable that it placed a huge pressure on bats. As a result, their population has been reducing at a tremendous rate.

Why Bats Are Endangered

Some species of bats with restricted distribution is known to be highly sensitive against the changes in their environment. In this article, we will discuss some of the reasons on the reducing numbers of the bats.

1. Habitat Loss

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons behind the declining bat population is the habitat loss. While the loss of habitat can also be caused by the natural incidents such as geological changes and climate shifts, most habitat loss of the bats are caused by humans. Converting lands to agricultural setting, urbanization, building of canals, highways, and dams can alter the natural environment of the bats. Even if there is a fraction of the ecosystem that is left intact, it can still be insignificant to be the home of several species.

2. Invasive Animals

Most of the animals that will be introduced in a new environment will find it difficult to adapt and will eventually die. However, there are still animals that will take advantage of their new ecosystem that will become detrimental to the native bats. Most small habitat can experience the detrimental effect of these invasive species.

3. Resources Exploitation

Overhunting of bats is another possible cause on why the bats will become endangered. In some parts of the globe, bats are part of their delicacies. Overexploitation of the resources related with bat survival can also affect their existence.

4. Disease and Pathogens

The spread of virus among bats is inevitable since they are social creatures and they tend to gather and build large colonies. Therefore, it would be difficult to control the transmission of disease among bats. Such is the case when there is a bat infected with a white-nose syndrome. This fungal disease has resulted to the deaths of millions of bats. The said disease has reached an epidemic level, severely affecting the stable population of other species of bats.

5. Pollution

Pollution can come in different forms and it comes with adverse effects towards different animals such as bats. For instance, the chemicals and pesticides sprayed on the insect that they eat will not immediately kill the insects. There will be enough time for the bats to eat them. Some pesticides have a direct effect on the function of their reproductive system. Even noise, light, and thermal pollution can affect the bat's survival rate.

These factors can contribute to the declining population of the bats. These flying mammals are essential to keep the balance of our ecosystem. If humans continue to make alteration on their natural environment, expect that the population of the bats will continue to suffer.