Microbats - John Parsons 

Welcome to the Botanical Gardens. We also have microbats in our Botanical Gardens.

We have six species of microbat that roost or visit the gardens from time to time. However, there are about 32 species in the Fraser Coast region.

Microbats are tiny, meat-eating mammals, often weighing 3 to 30 grams. They provide vital, natural pest control by consuming about a thousand mosquitoes per night, as well as beetles, moths, frogs, and in fact, anything that moves at night.

Microbats catch flying insects in the dark using a highly sophisticated system of echolocation. They produce high-frequency ultrasonic sounds through their mouth or nose. These sounds bounce off the objects and return as echoes. When searching for food, a bat emits a rapid pulse to pinpoint the exact location, speed, and size of their prey.

Microbats will also feed on bugs in flowers, and by doing so, become pollinators. Covered in pollen, they repeatedly pollinate flowers after flower—maybe up to 500 flowers and shrubs in one night. And this is why they are the best nocturnal pollinator in the world.

It is not unusual for microbats to fly 20 kilometres when foraging for food. These tiny bats live in tree hollows, bark crevices, caves, mines, gaps in roofs, pool umbrellas, and man-made bat boxes, just to name a few.

Keep in mind, whether you are walking, being in the bush, in your neighbourhood, or in the Botanical Gardens, you are surrounded by wildlife. Never attempt to pick up an injured animal, as they may bite or scratch when touched. The consequences may be unknown. Therefore, attend a medical centre within 12 hours to be on the safe side.

Thank you for your interest in bats. Should you want more information, please contact the community centre on 4194 3000, as they present free PowerPoint information sessions from time to time.