Bat Lovers Rejoice: New Species of Furry Flying Mammal Found!

When most people think of bats, they think of small, furry animals that fly. And they would be right! Bats make up the largest order of mammals in the world, with over 1,000 different species.

Until now, however, bat researchers believed that the furry flying mammal phenomenon was a global one. But a new study published in the journal Mammalia has revealed a new species of furry flying bat that exists only in the tropical forests of central Africa.

The new species, dubbed Myzopteryx megalotis, is about twice the size of other bats in its family and is covered in reddish-brown fur. It was discovered by scientists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) during a survey of bat diversity in Gabon.

"This new species is incredibly distinct from any other bat species we know about," said ZSL scientist Dr Paul Racey. "It's amazing to think that such a large and conspicuous bat has gone undetected for so long – it really highlights how little we know about bats and the biodiversity they contain."

While the discovery of this new species is certainly exciting for bat lovers everywhere, it also serves as an important reminder that there is still much to be learned about our planet's vast array of wildlife.

Are Bats the Key to Curing Alzheimer's?

In recent years, scientists have been studying bats in hopes of finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease. And it seems that their efforts may be paying off; bats may indeed hold the key to curing this tragic illness.

Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects the brain, causing problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common form of dementia, and it affects millions of people worldwide. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's, and current treatments only help to slow its progression.

So far, scientists have not been able to identify what causes Alzheimer's disease. However, they have identified a few key risk factors. These include age, genetics, and lifestyle choices like smoking and drinking alcohol.

Scientists have long been searching for new ways to treat Alzheimer's disease. And in recent years, they have begun focusing on bats as a potential source of treatment. This is because bats are known to develop a protein called amyloid-beta that is linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Several studies have now shown that bat-derived amyloid-beta can reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer's in mice. One study even showed that bat-derived amyloid-beta can improve memory in people with early onset Alzheimer's disease.

While these findings are still preliminary, they suggest that bat-derived amyloid-beta could eventually be used as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. In fact, several companies are now developing treatments based on this protein.

So far, there is no definitive cure for Alzheimer's disease. However, scientists remain hopeful that bats may hold the key to curing this tragic illness.

Bat Fossil from 50 Million Years Ago Found in Wyoming

In a surprising discovery, a bat fossil from 50 million years ago was found in Wyoming. This provides evidence that bats have been around for a lot longer than previously thought.

The fossil was found by a team of researchers from the University of Texas at Austin who were studying the sedimentary rocks in the area. It is the first time that a bat fossil has been found in this part of the world.

The bat fossil is about 2.5 inches long and is believed to be from the species Vespertilionidus tedfordi, which is now extinct. It has been determined that the fossil is around 50 million years old based on its location and the type of rock that it was found in.

This discovery sheds new light on the history of bats and their evolution. It is now known that bats originated in North America and spread to other parts of the world after they evolved. This means that bats are one of the oldest groups of mammals on Earth.

The discovery also has implications for current research into how bats use vocalizations to communicate with each other. The presence of this bat fossil in Wyoming suggests that these vocalizations may have originated much earlier than previously thought.

Bats Plague CA Towns as They Try to Migrate South

Bats have been plaguing Northern California towns as they try to migrate south for the winter. The bats are flying into buildings and getting tangled in trees.

"They're everywhere," said Kendra Hanley, a resident of Auburn, California. "I was driving home one night and saw one fly into my car. They're hitting people, dogs, cats – anything. It's really strange."

The problem is being blamed on the drought, which has forced the bats to fly farther than they usually would. Officials are trying to come up with a plan to deal with the influx of bats, but so far there is no clear solution.

Some residents are calling for the bats to be euthanized, but wildlife officials say that is not a viable solution. Others are suggesting that the bats be moved to other parts of the state, but that could be difficult since many of them are already in flight.

For now, the bats remain a nuisance for the people of Northern California.

How to Keep Bats out of Your House and Yard

Bats are a vital part of the ecosystem, but no one wants them living in their home or yard. Here are tips for keeping bats out of your house and yard:

1. Seal all cracks and holes in your house with caulk or expanding foam.
2. Install a bat exclusion net over any openings in your roof.
3. Install bat houses to provide a place for bats to live outside of your home or yard.
4. Trim back tree limbs and branches that hang over your house or yard.
5. Move bird feeders and other sources of food away from your house or yard.
6. Remove any piles of debris where bats might be able to hide.
7. Place mothballs around your property.