Trascrizione
Fewer and fewer people are engaged in traditional agriculture and livestock farming, which means there are fewer active farms and habitats suitable for animals that have learned to coexist with humans. Some of these animals are persevering in this changing landscape and are thus strongly protected.
Among these are bats, nocturnal creatures that play a vital ecological role: they control populations of harmful insects. This means that thanks to them, we can reduce the use of pesticides because they help maintain balance in the ecosystems they inhabit.
The Pipistrelle bat is the most common and widespread bat species in Europe. It can be found in forests, cultivated areas, and even small towns. During the day, it seeks refuge in narrow crevices, such as spaces under roof tiles or in wall cavities. It only emerges at dusk to hunt flying insects - it is a fantastic mosquito repellent!
The Long-Eared Bat, as the name suggests, has long and delicate ears. It prefers to live in forests but can also be found in the countryside where there are isolated trees. This species hunts insects both in flight, using ultrasound to locate them, and on vegetation, relying on its vision and hearing. You can tell where it has feasted because it leaves behind the remnants of its meal, which accumulate at the base of trees.
To ensure these species can continue to live here and carry out their important role as natural pesticides, efforts are made to conserve and protect their habitat. Most importantly, reducing what threatens them the most, which happens to be the same harmful pesticides that are toxic to us too! By poisoning insects, we poison the bats' food source, and without them, insect populations increase, creating a vicious cycle in which we all lose.