Bats' Nightly Journey of Survival
In Bats' A Nightly Journey of Survival, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores the nightly journey of three million bats as they leave their cave to hunt for insects. The bats face many challenges, including evading predatory birds such as rufous-bellied eagles, falcons, and black hawks. Despite these dangers, most bats return safely to their cave by morning. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: Why do the bats leave their cave each evening?
A: The bats leave to hunt for insects in the forest.
Q: How do the bats try to confuse the rufous-bellied eagle?
A: The bats form a donut-shaped ring that confuses the eagle.
Q: What makes a bat more likely to become a target for predators?
A: A bat that gets separated from the group becomes an easy target for predators.
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In Life Inside the Sunless Ecosystem of Deer Cave, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores Deer Cave in Borneo, the largest river passage in the world — so vast that a jumbo jet could fly through it. The cave is home to an astonishing 3 million wrinkle-lipped bats, which roost high on the cave walls and ceilings, away from predators. The bats' droppings (guano) form the foundation of a unique food chain within the cave, supporting massive populations of cockroaches, giant cave centipedes, and even crabs. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
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