Do Bats Fly in Your Hair?

Bats do not try to fly into your hair. If they fly close to your head, it is because insects are nearby.

Do Vampire Bats Suck Your Blood?

Vampire bats live in Central and South America, and they do not suck blood from humans. In fact, they don’t suck blood at all. Instead, when they bite an animal their sharp teeth make a small incision. They lap up about one teaspoon of blood that comes from the wound. The animal usually doesn’t feel the bite.

Are There Benefits to Bats?

Most of the negative things you have heard about bats is probably wrong. Some people encourage bats to live nearby because they eat so many flying insects.

Bat Crafts and Experiments

Make a balancing bat using stiff paper, such as card stock or an old manila file folder. First make a copy or trace the bat pattern pictured below. Fold the stiff paper in half. Lay the center line of the bat pattern on the fold. Trace the bat on the paper. Then cut out the bat design.

Unfold the paper. Voila! You have a bat with spread wings. Kids can color the bat black with crayons or markers.

Now, for the real fun part—turn a box upside down, and then stick the pencil into the cardboard so that it stands vertical with the eraser end up. Attach one paperclip (size #1) to the ends of the wings as shown. Place the bat’s head on the pencil’s eraser. If the bat doesn’t balance, adjust how far the paper clips extend past the end of the bat’s wings.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

The center of gravity is the point where the weight of an object appears to be located. As long as the bat’s center of gravity is in line with a supporting base (the pencil), it will balance.

SOMETHING MORE

Find out: Why are scientists studying vampire bat saliva to help stroke victims?

You can find more fun science activities in Janice VanCleave’s Great Science Project Ideas from Real Kids (Wiley/Josey-Bass, 2007)