Bats are the only flying mammals in the world, and one of the most characteristic features of their behavior is that they often sleep, hanging upside down. But why is it that is so natural for these animals? The answer to this question lies deeply in their evolutionary history.
Tara Khohoff, a biologist, believes that the habit of bats to sleep upside down is the result of how these mammals adapted to the flight. In the initial stages of evolution, when the ancestors of modern bats were just beginning to master the ability to fly, they had a similarity with protein-lingers. These ancestors could plan in the air, which led to the development of powerful extremities. Over time, the strong upper extremities that were planning were transformed into wings. Since bats do not have hollow bones like birds, their lifting power is not so great. Instead of using great effort to lift from the ground, they hung down better, getting ready for a jump into the air.
For a person who tries to hang upside down, it can be extremely difficult and even dangerous for health due to stagnation of blood in the head. However, for bats, this is natural and even convenient. Their muscles, tendons and claws evolved in such a way that they were not difficult to hold down. When a bat finds a room for overnight, it simply reduces muscles that are related to claws, allowing them to cling to the surface. The body weight of the animal helps to keep the claws closed, and all this happens without the cost of energy, which allows the bat quietly to hang, relaxing the body.
In addition to hanging up to the bats for bats economically, this pose also has a protective function. In this position, they hide in inaccessible places, which makes them less noticeable to predators - owls, hawks or snakes. Interestingly, when bats still find themselves on the ground, they can take off without problems, although it is harder than starting from a hanging position.
The habit of Bats to sleep upside down is not just an unusual behavior, but the result of millions of years of evolution, which allowed these animals to use their physiological features to flight as effectively as possible. There is no need to spend a lot of energy on keeping a posture, as well as the ability to defend themselves from predators, make such behavior almost ideal for their lifestyle.
