Bats

Scientists discover 22 new viruses in Chinese bats

The newly discovered viruses are closely related to deadly viruses that can cause severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease in humans, with mortality rates reaching up to 75%.

 Bats in the market.
 Disease linked to bat consumption claims over 50 lives in Democratic Republic of Congo. Image: Valeriya Anufriyeva.

Disease linked to bat consumption claims over 50 lives in Democratic Republic of Congo

 Straw-colored fruit bat.

Marburg virus kills eight in Tanzania; WHO warns of potential spread

 Riding the storm: Study reveals how bats migrate long distance.

Riding the storm: Study reveals how bats migrate long distance


Study reveals how bats use echolocation and vision to navigate over long distances

Bats can stitch together thousands of sound signatures into acoustic maps.

 Fruit bat flying in jungle.

How bats evolved to avoid cancer - study

These characteristics make bats an interesting animal to study because they may have implications for human health.

 Artibeus jamaicensis, the Jamaican fruit bat

Israeli scientists ‘hire’ fruit bats to participate in experiments on where air is warmer in cities

"Thanks to the bats, we were able to create the first three-dimensional map of Urban Heat Islands in Gush Dan," said Prof. Alexandra Chudnovsky.

 Egyptian fruit bat.

Bats suffering from hearing loss can teach us about age-related hearing loss in people

The researchers found that the bats’ sense of hearing does in fact deteriorate with age, but at a relatively slow rate compared to humans and other mammals. 

 Fruit bats

Leave bats alone for environmental conservation, experts advise

To prevent future pandemics, leave the bats alone – even though they are a reservoir for many viruses, conservation experts say.

 Fruit Bat in daytime.

Going batty: Bats can get 'pregnancy brain,' too - Israeli study

A new Tel Aviv University study finds that pregnancy affects the sensing capabilities of bats

  Mother bat holding baby bat.

Researchers have discovered the oldest known bat skeletons

Bats are one of the most unique and fascinating creatures on the planet. Despite the immense interest in bats, there is still a lot we don't know about their history.

 Fruit Bat in daytime.

Flying mammals live in an environment of constant noise, new study shows

Israeli-led study reveals that bats experience hearing loss in old age apparently have evolved some innate ability to minimize it.

 Israeli researchers have discovered that bats experience hearing loss in old age.

New Israeli drone can save bats from wind turbines worldwide

Bats and other animals tend to accidentally fly into wind turbines which endangers them and impedes the turbines' work.

 Bats

Bats should not be blamed for COVID-19, say Israeli researchers

Contrary to the firmly consensual opinion formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new TAU study has found no clear evidence that COVID-19 was transmitted from the black/brown flying mammals.

 Fruit Bat in daytime.

Neurons caught rapidly switching gears - study

Weizmann Institute's study suggests neurons are not programmed for a single task, but rather are highly dynamic and agile.

The Egyptian fruit bat. Prof. Nachum Ulanovsky's unique model animal.