Bats are blind
| Bats are blind | |
|---|---|
| FALSE | |
| "Bats are blind and find their way only by echolocation, which is why people say "blind as a bat."" | |
| Domain | Science & Space |
| Tactic | Fabrication |
| Era | Historical |
| First seen | Centuries old |
| Origin | The saying "blind as a bat" |
| Last reviewed | 2026-10-30 |
| Further reading: books on Science & Space | |
The phrase "blind as a bat" has convinced many children that bats cannot see.
All bat species can see. Many also use echolocation.
What the evidence shows
- Every bat has eyes. No bat species is blind. Large fruit bats and flying foxes have excellent vision and do not echolocate.
- Echolocation plus sight. Many smaller bats use echolocation to hunt insects at night, but they also use vision, especially for long-distance navigation.
- Color. Some bats can see ultraviolet light.
Why it matters
Myths about bats can make children fear useful animals. Bats pollinate plants and eat huge numbers of insects.
Sources
- US Geological Survey, "Are bats blind?" FAQ.
- Bat Conservation International, "Bat myths."
- US National Park Service, "Bat Myths."