The Greater mouse-tailed bats, scientifically known as Rhinopoma microphyllum, have a unique way of navigating in the darkness of caves – they use their tails. These bats live in small caves where flying is challenging, so they hang from the walls and move deeper into the cave by crawling backwards. This behavior is observed when they encounter predators or when they seek a better position inside the cave.
Biologists, including Yossi Yovel from Tel Aviv University in Israel, have conducted experiments to understand how these bats use their long tails to navigate. In one experiment, a maze was created to mimic the rocky terrain of a cave. The bats were observed crawling backwards and using their tails to sense obstacles. When their tails were anaesthetized, the bats navigated the maze less smoothly and slower, indicating the importance of their tails in this process.
In another experiment, a Y-shaped maze with different textures was used to test the bats’ ability to distinguish between corridors. The bats were able to differentiate between the corridors based on subtle textural differences, showcasing their sensory abilities.
While other bat species also have long tails, the Greater mouse-tailed bats are unique in using their tails for navigation in the darkness. Yovel mentions that this may not be a common strategy among bats with long tails, emphasizing the need for further research on other bat species.
Overall, the study sheds light on the fascinating adaptation of Greater mouse-tailed bats and their use of tails as a sensory tool in navigating dark caves. This research opens up possibilities for further exploration into the sensory capabilities of different bat species.
