What happens when bats need our help? We had a chat with Amber, a registered bat carer, to give us an insight into the amazing work she is doing with the Bat Conservation Trust!
Continue reading “Bat Rescue: An interview with Amber”Echolocation: Expanded
So, we have learnt in previous posts about how Bats use echolocation and why is it so important. To follow on from this read on to discover which other animals use echolocation and how this incredible skill has diversified through the animal kingdom…
Continue reading “Echolocation: Expanded”What is Echolocation?
Although bats use their eyes to see during the day, they hunt in darkness. How do they navigate without light?
Continue reading “What is Echolocation?”Britain’s rarest: The Greater mouse-eared bat
The Greater Mouse-eared Bat is the largest British bat species with broad wings, a body length of up to 8cm and over 30g in weight. They are sandy above with a contrasting white belly, a pink face and large mouse-like ears.
Continue reading “Britain’s rarest: The Greater mouse-eared bat”What is a Bat?
In the UK we have 18 different species of bat, but in total there are approximately 1,400 spread worldwide. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica, making them runners up only to rodents when it comes to habitat diversity and number of species.
But what is a bat and why are they so special?
Species Guide: The Adder
The whole snake family has a rather strange evolutionary history. Snakes’ ancient ancestors (who were also the ancestors of lizards) progressed from above-ground life, to living and moving about underground, burrowing through the earth. This subterranean lifestyle meant they’ve evolved to have relatively poor eyesight. To compensate, snakes picture their surroundings using their tongues, which collect chemicals in the air. On retracting the tongue, this transfers the chemicals to their ‘smell’ organ (called Jacobson’s organ). The adder (Vipera berus) is, of course, also unique in being Britain’s only venomous snake. They use venom to help kill their prey, small mammals and chicks. But adders should not be feared – they will only bite you to defend themselves from a serious threat, like being handled or stepped on.
Continue reading “Species Guide: The Adder”British Wildlife on the Edge: The Red Squirrel
Unless you live in Scotland or the north of England, you could well have grown up never having seen a native Red squirrel in the wild. We explore the reasons behind this and how you can help.
Continue reading “British Wildlife on the Edge: The Red Squirrel”Gardening for butterflies
Do you want to make your garden, allotment or balcony the ideal destination for butterflies?
Our new guide: How to make a butterfly-friendly garden gives you lots of tips and ideas to make your outdoor space a pollinator paradise.
Continue reading “Gardening for butterflies”