Bats – a part of the world’s eco-system

In addition to land crabs, several specimens of the bat species Myotis myotis roost in Mramornica Cave. Bats form a part of the global eco-system. In the Umag and Brtonigla region with its favourable climate and terrain, bats pollinate numerous nocturnal plants.

These small, secretive animals have a great impact on the numbers of active nocturnal insect populations, a confirmation of their role in helping to maintain balance in nature. The greater the number of bats in a given area, the higher is the area’s health index.

Although bats have eyes and fairly good eyesight, they use echolocation to navigate in the dark. Bats emit ultrasounds through their mouths and noses, and listen to the returning echoes, which enable them to tell where buildings, trees and other obstacles are located. This system allows bats to perceive and create a very detailed image of their surroundings.