How Long Do Bats Live? Twenty-two bat species have an average lifespan of more than 20 years, while six bat species are documented to live for more than 30 years. Unlike similar mammals of comparable size, bats enjoy a lifecycle more than 3.5 times greater once they escape youth’s perils.
Average Lifespan of Bats
Bats could hold the secret to longevity in humans. According to an article published in the Journal of Gerontology, 22 bat species have an average lifespan of more than 20 years, while six bat species are documented to live more than 30 years. These numbers are remarkable because scientists have established that longevity is relative to size in mammals. The smaller the mammal, the shorter the lifespan. Bats do not follow this “longevity quotient.” And the fascinating fact is that these older bats are still as agile as their younger counterparts.
Researchers are looking at bat longevity (how long bats live) for possible clues to better aging in humans.
The Oldest Bat On Record
In the same paper, the authors reported that they had discovered an older bat than the current record holder of 38 years. The male Brandt’s myotis, a tiny bat from Siberia, set the new world record of at least 41 years old. Since these bats are wild, an older species could be out there somewhere!
The Perils of a Bat Pup
Baby bats are called pups and are usually born one at a time once a year. The baby bat clings to its mother, drinking her milk until it is old enough to fly on its own and capture its own food. Bats can generally leave their mothers and fly in about three weeks, depending on the species. Before this time, bat pups experience high mortality rates, as they are susceptible to many dangers before they can fly.
A mother bat is attached to her baby and provides food and protection for her pup until it is ready to exist independently of her. Yet, if a baby bat falls from its mother, she will not come to its rescue. Sadly, it will either die from the fall or be eaten by predators. Bat pups are also more susceptible to disease and parasites.
Why Do Bats Live So Long?
The bat’s lifespan is a research-interest matter because it tends to live longer than other mammals of similar size. Researchers are attempting to isolate the factors of a bat’s lifestyle that add to its longevity. An analysis conducted by the Department of Biology, University of Maryland, revealed that the “bat life span significantly increases with hibernation, body mass, and occasional cave use, but decreases with reproductive rate.” The bat’s diet and colony size appeared not to affect longevity.
Resources: “How Long Do Bats Live”
- Wilkinson, Gerald S., and Jason M. South. “Life History, Ecology, and Longevity in Bats.” Aging Cell 1.1 (2002): 124-131. Print.
- Podlutsky, Andrej. “A New Field Record for Bat Longevity.” The Journals of Gerontology: Series A. Vol: 60, No. 11, pp: 1366-1368.
- Smithsonian – Encyclopedia Smithsonian: Bat Facts
