Can Rats Become Bats?
WouterThe phylogenetic relationship of bats and rodents is still debated. Although some evolutionary theories suggest that bats and rodents share a common ancestor, other evolutionary theories indicate that rodents and bats evolved separately. Rodents have front legs that evolved to be adapted to a tetrapod lifestyle, but bats have highly articulated bones and membranous wings. Evolutionists argue that there are no intermediate stages between rodents and bats. Rather, bats are 100% bats from their first appearance.
Bats and rats share similar brain rhythms, but there are differences between the two. Bats carry more than a few deadly viruses and may be more infectious to humans. That’s why it’s important to limit human-bat contact. Although bats are not known for transferring deadly diseases, scientists believe they can be passed from one species to another.
Rats have dark gray or brown fur with scattered black hairs. Their underbelly is grayish brown. They shed more than 500,000 body hairs annually. In order to wear down their incisor teeth, rats must constantly chew on surfaces. They are known to chew on wood, concrete, aluminum siding, and wallboard. They also have a keen sense of smell.
In their natural habitat, rats are nocturnal, leaving their nests at dusk. They are also highly adaptable to new environments, and can live in large numbers without humans being aware of their presence.
