Are Bats Blind?

Bats are not actually blind. In fact, some species of fruit bat can even see during the day. Though about 70 percent of them augment their vision with echolocation, bats cannot rely on echolocation alone to navigate, meaning that they cannot navigate or fly properly on totally dark nights.

More facts about bats:

• Only about 0.5 percent of bats have rabies, and most of those infected are too sick to fly.


• A single brown bat can catch more than 600 mosquitoes per hour.


• There are more than 1.5 million bats living in urban areas in North America.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bats completely blind?

No, bats are not completely blind. While their eyesight varies among species, many bats have quite good vision, especially at dusk. According to research, some bats can even see ultraviolet light, which aids them in navigating and finding food during low-light conditions.

How do bats navigate if they can't see well?

Bats are renowned for their echolocation ability, which allows them to navigate and hunt with precision. They emit high-frequency sounds that bounce off objects and return as echoes, enabling bats to create a sonic map of their surroundings, even in complete darkness.

Do all bats use echolocation?

While most bat species use echolocation, not all do. Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, primarily rely on their keen sense of sight and smell to locate food. These bats have larger eyes and can see in color, which is beneficial for finding ripe fruit.

Can bats see in daylight?

Bats can see in daylight, but their eyes are more adapted to low-light conditions. During the day, bright light can be overwhelming for some species, making them less active. However, they are not helpless in daylight and can still navigate if necessary.

What kind of vision do bats have?

Bats typically have monochromatic vision, meaning they see in shades of one color, which is usually not as sharp as human vision. However, their vision is adapted to their nocturnal lifestyle, allowing them to detect shapes and movement in dim light, which complements their echolocation skills.

How does a bat's vision compare to human vision?

Compared to humans, a bat's vision is generally less acute, particularly when it comes to detail and color differentiation. However, some bats have a visual range that extends into the ultraviolet spectrum, which humans cannot see. Their night vision is superior to ours, which is crucial for their nocturnal activities.