Spooky Bats Flying Past A Full Moon

One of the most beautiful sights in nature is a full moon, glowing like a huge silver coin in a clear sky. However, apparently not everyone thinks that a full moon is a good thing.Show more

Some scientists have been experimenting on different species of bats and discovered that many types of bats prefer to hide from the moon on bright nights.

This video shows slow motion footage of many bats flying past the Full Moon on October 4th.

Many nocturnally active animals alter their behavior and activity with changing light conditions in connection with the lunar cycle. In most cases two major selective forces explain these responses, either change in predation risk or in prey availability.

The ‘‘lunar phobia’’ or reduced activity of bats during full moon was thought to be that bats adjust their activity to avoid predators.

Bats that normally fly and hunt for their food under the trees or close to the surface of water are the most timid when it comes to the moon. The high-fliers were much braver and hardly changed their behavior when the moon is at its biggest and brightest.

Nobody knows for sure why bats tend to hide away when the moon is full, but it is most likely that the brighter light makes it easier for predators to spot the bats. Perhaps there is a good reason for their selenophobia (fear of full moons) after all.