ed. 2026/5/6
Anyone who explores old mines, houses, or ditches will inevitably encounter them: our little bat sisters. Most of the time, you’ll first notice a strong odor, and then you’ll hear their screeches. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Bats are not inherently disease carriers, but there are a few things to consider:
Bats have a very robust, yet unusual immune system. They can carry many viruses without getting sick. This means they are often silent “hosts” – viruses survive for long periods within them and can adapt to new conditions. Flight regularly stresses their bodies and raises their body temperature, similar to a fever. Some scientists believe that viruses in bats have adapted to survive at these higher temperatures, which may help them persist in humans as well.
Bats often live in caves, attics, or trees, which are also visited by other animals – including those that humans consume or keep. This means viruses from bats can jump to humans through wildlife.
(one of the smalles: Asian particolored bat)
Hibernation
Any disturbance during hibernation can accidentally wake the animals. Bats need 30 to 60 minutes and plenty of calories to bring their bodies up to operating temperature. This depletes their hard-earned fat reserves. That’s why many bat caves are closed to visitors during the winter. If they wake up too often during the winter, it can happen that their reserves run out before spring, and they may die.
(In an abandoned railway tunnel, time to get out.)
Bats Have Trouble Taking Off From the Ground
If you see a bat on the ground, you should pick it up and place it somewhere elevated. Only then will it be able to take flight. Due to their delicate bones, you should handle them very carefully. It’s best to use a thick cloth or heavy gloves, as they can bite in distress.
Attacks?
Every time I enter mines and tunnels, I encounter bats. They swarm toward me and sometimes come very close, which often gives me the impression of an attack. Here the answer by Prof. ChatGPT:
This impression is intensified by the sharp, pungent smell and the seemingly aggressive sounds echoing through the confined space. However, what is actually happening is typical bat behavior—not an attack. Bats rely on echolocation to navigate. When they appear to fly directly toward a person and then suddenly veer off at the last moment, they are simply adjusting their flight path after detecting an obstacle. Their navigation system is highly precise, allowing them to pass extremely close without colliding. In mines, this behavior feels particularly intense because the environment is dark and enclosed, many bats share a limited space, and human movement naturally disturbs them. They are not warning or attacking; most species actively avoid humans. What is being observed is a combination of avoidance and disorientation behavior: the bats are roosting in the mine, attempting to navigate around an unexpected presence, and occasionally may briefly investigate through echolocation.
(In LINE! Line up, sisters)
There is also often concern about disease transmission. Here the answer by Prof. ChatGPT:
Bats can carry certain pathogens, as many wild animals can. The important distinction is between theoretical capability and actual risk in typical conditions. One well-known example is rabies, which is only transmitted through bites or direct contact with infected saliva. Another is histoplasmosis, which is not transmitted by the bats themselves but through airborne spores found in dried droppings. Without direct contact—such as being bitten or handling the animals—the risk of rabies is extremely low. In environments like mines, the more realistic health concern is inhaling dust from accumulated guano rather than any direct interaction with the bats. Bats often have this reputation because they live in large colonies and can carry various viruses without becoming ill themselves, making them scientifically interesting. However, this does not mean they pose a significant everyday danger to people.
So cute:
(Copyright Claudius Petzold)
