It may sound batty, but University of Georgia researchers have confirmed that North American bats glow under ultraviolet light.
The new study from the UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources found that six different species emit a greenish light when exposed to UV rays.
This is the first discovery of such a phenomenon for bats located in this part of the world. The tricky thing now, the researchers said, is figuring out why.
The color and location of the glow suggest that this is a genetic characteristic, not something related to the environment the bats inhabit.
Researchers found the color was the same between sexes and among the species, suggesting that it is not for sex or species recognition. It also did not appear to be used as camouflage or to attract mates.
Instead, because many bats can see the wavelengths emitted, they think the glow may be an inherited trait used for communication.
“It may not seem like this has a whole lot of consequence, but we’re trying to understand why these animals glow,” said Steven Castleberry, corresponding author of the study and a professor in wildlife ecology and management. “It’s cool, but we don’t know why it happens. What is the evolutionary or adaptive function? Does it actually serve a function for the bats?”
