Bats are mysterious creatures. They are flying mammals that come out at night and sleep hanging upside down. They have a reputation as blood-sucking monsters that prey upon people as they sleep. Much of the mystery surrounding bats have to do with their physical characteristics, their behaviors and the myths that continue to plague these animals.

The image of a bat hanging upside down, with its wings wrapped around its body, is enough to give people the creeps, but it also brings to mind questions. How do they hold on like that? Doesn’t the blood rush to their heads? How in the world do they poop? We’re going to solve the poop mystery for you here.

Bat Pooping Mechanics 101

Often people believe that bats must poop and pee out of their mouths because they hang upside down so much. Though some animals do expel waste from the same opening that they ingest their food (starfish, for example), bats are not one of these animals. Bats are just like all other mammals — and most other wildlife — in their pooping mechanics. They expel waste from their anuses, and they don’t do it while hanging upside down. That would be very messy.

When Do They Poop?

This winged mammal usually takes care of its business while in flight. While it’s true that much of a bat’s resting time is spent suspended from a branch, rock, brick or rafter, not all of it is. Bats sometimes fly around during daylight hours within their roost or even out in the open on occasion. Bats also spend a great deal of time in the air during the nighttime hours when they’re out catching dinner. Bats spend a lot of time upside down, but they also spend a lot of time flying. Pooping in flight makes sense for them.

While bats hang from their feet for a good portion of their day, they are also capable of standing on their feet. They are more vulnerable in this position because they can’t get enough lift to take flight, which is why they hang upside down. It’s easier and faster for them to get up in the air when they drop from an inverted position. Sometimes a bat perches on top of an object to relieve itself. It is more likely to do this in the safety of its roost.

Do They Poop When Hibernating?

Of Wisconsin’s eight bat species, half are tree-dwellers, while the other half are cave-dwellers. The tree-dwelling species head to warmer climates for the winter, but the four species that live in caves or buildings hibernate during the cold months. When bats go into hibernation, their body temperatures drop and metabolism rates slow down quickly. This process preserves their energy stores to keep them alive when insects are sparse.

The digestion process doesn’t stop entirely, though. Bats do on occasion have to relieve themselves. When they do, their bodies send out a wake-up message to rouse the bats from slumber.Similar to people’s bodies telling them they need to pee in the middle of the night. When a bat’s internal poop alarm goes off, it wakes up and drops from where it is suspended to take care of business. When the business is done, it resumes its sleeping position and goes back into hibernation.

Humane Bat Removal

We don’t recommend you try to observe bats’ behaviors first-hand if you find one hanging in your attic rafters. Instead, call the experts in humane bat removal to ensure the animal’s safety and your own. Skedaddle technicians are experts in humane wildlife control in Milwaukee. They are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to safely remove bats from your home. They even clean up the stinky bat droppings, saving you from this unpleasant task. Handling bats or bat excrement on your own isn’t recommended due to the risks to your health and safety. Contact us today to schedule services.