Bats in Your Garden Signal a Thriving Ecosystem
Those dark shapes zigzagging across your yard at dusk aren't random visitors. Scientists say returning bats mean your garden is healthier than you think.
Search
Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
14 results for "bats"
Harry Brook's Century Powers England to T20 World Cup Semis
England's Harry Brook scored a brilliant century under immense pressure to secure his team's spot in the T20 World Cup semi-finals with a thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan. The young batsman delivered when it mattered most, keeping England's championship dreams alive.
Wind Farm in Djibouti Uses AI to Protect Birds and Bats
A wind farm in Djibouti is installing smart technology that detects birds and bats near turbines, preventing collisions while generating clean energy. It's the first time this life-saving system has been used anywhere in Africa.
50-Year Dream: Bridge Becomes Wildlife Corridor Over M1
A forgotten bridge over Australia's busy Princes Motorway is being transformed into a wildlife crossing, fulfilling a conservation dream first imagined in 1974. Koalas, wombats, and possums will soon safely reconnect across habitats split by 40,000 daily vehicles.
Scientists Crack Mystery of Bat Disease Killing Millions
Researchers finally understand why a fungal disease has killed millions of North American bats while barely affecting European species. The discovery could save entire bat populations and billions in crop losses.
7 NFL Stars Who Played Minor League Baseball First
Before winning Super Bowls, these football legends swung bats and pitched in baseball's minor leagues. Their journeys prove that finding your true calling sometimes means trying different paths.
Humans Learn Bat-Like Echolocation in Minutes
Scientists at the University of East Anglia discovered that humans can learn to use mouth clicks like bats do, judging distances after just a short training session. This breakthrough could transform how we help visually impaired people navigate their world.
Endangered Bats Travel 100 Miles North to Find Food
Tiny endangered bats are adapting to drought by venturing further north than ever before, and conservationists are planting thousands of agave plants to help them survive. DNA evidence just proved these incredible pollinators have expanded their range by 100 miles in search of the nectar that fuels their epic journeys.
Rare Photo Captures Critically Endangered Bat and Baby
A wildlife photographer on Christmas Island has captured the first-ever image of one of the world's rarest bats carrying its newborn pup mid-flight. With fewer than 400 of these fluffy "teddy bear" bats left in the wild, the photo shines a light on efforts to save the territory's last remaining native mammal.
56 Species Survived Australia's Fires Thanks to Wombats
When Australia's Black Summer fires turned forests to ash, camera footage revealed wombat burrows became underground sanctuaries for 56 species seeking shelter, water, and safety. The humble marsupials didn't lead rescue missions, but their engineering saved lives anyway.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F51%2F52%2F5152b77b-1f2e-4819-ae24-8a8dffcb3924%2Fimg_8867.jpg)
Vampire Bats Start Talking Alike After Becoming Friends
Scientists discovered that vampire bats change their vocalizations to sound more like their closest friends, especially when they share food. This rare behavior shows how these misunderstood creatures build deep social bonds through communication.
Don Bradman's Cricket Cap Sells for $318,000 at Auction
A treasured cricket cap worn by legendary Australian batsman Don Bradman sold for $318,000 after an Indian family safeguarded it for 75 years. The historic piece will now be displayed in an Australian museum for everyone to enjoy.
Bats Navigate Dense Forests Using Motion-Based Echolocation
Scientists discovered how bats fly through cluttered environments without crashing by detecting motion changes in sound waves. The breakthrough could help make drones and self-driving cars safer in complex spaces.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2Ff6%2F01%2Ff601496b-2ec9-49e7-8e4b-0618d8aa0523%2Fmicronycteris_microtis.png)
Bats Use Leaves Like Mirrors to Hunt Silent Prey
Scientists used a robot to crack the code of how tiny bats detect motionless insects hiding on leaves using sound waves. The discovery could lead to pest-fighting farm robots that protect crops without chemicals.