| Re: Did you know?
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This thing about bats arose two or three years ago. It was discussed thoroughly on one of the bat forums and plenty of people had evidence to show it wasn't true. I've seen bats fly left, right and straight ahead from bat roosts (not cave roosts, admittedly, but why would they treat caves differently?)
I can't answer that but my sources insist its true. Having never studied it though it could very well be myth.
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You may have found fleas on dead bats but they are not using it as a host, they are just sampling and are probably unaware it has perished.
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I have also found fleas on bats that are clearly close to death (and the dead ones have not died through trauma, but natural causes). I think this one needs clarification.
Fleas essentially feed on blood. Shortly before death the heart rate will inevitably slow and after death blood hemostasis sets in and the blood will not be pumped around the vessels eventually solidifying and will not be so easily extracted from the host. The host thereore becomes less appetising. |