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Alley-oop: Wild Bat Snatches Hand-Tossed Beetle In Midair In Astounding Aerial Stunt!

Image is a stock photo of a bat in flight against a blue sky.

Although many people dislike bats, they are one of the most beneficial creatures in our ecosystem. During one in-flight meal, bats can consume thousands of pesky mosquitos. A TikTok user named Luke Kaz recorded a video throwing a bug in the air to feed a bat. Not only did the bat catch the bug, but the aerial maneuver it performed was incredible!

Videos by InspireMore

@lukekaz

I tossed a massive beetle out of a cup and a bat caught it mid flight!!! 🤯🦇🦇🦇 #coolanimals #batcatchingbug #feedingthebats

♬ original sound – Luke Kaz

Luke Kaz says he is a general contractor, husband, and father. On a recent outing near a lake, they caught a giant beetle. When they saw bats flying around a small beach area, Luke decided to try to feed a bat. As a bat flies by, Luke uses a cup to toss the beetle into the air. The response was immediate. The bat turned on an intercept course and zeroed in on the beetle.

Left image shows a man using a cup to toss a large bug toward a flying bat. Right image shows the bat sensing the bug and circling around to catch it.
Image from TikTok.

Like a World War II dogfighter, the bat made a large loop circling back on the bug. As he circled, he flew lower on a direct intercept course. Cheers are heard as the bat catches the bug and continues on his flight. The aerobatics were performed with precision and grace.

Left image shows the bat flying a loop around the bug. Center image shows the bat lowering his altitude as he concentrates on catching the bug. Right image shows the moment the bat catches the bug in midair.
Image from TikTok.

Although this wide, sweeping aerial maneuver may not seem like much on the surface, it becomes incredible when you consider other factors.

How A Bat Catches A Bug In Midair

Bats are nocturnal flyers visible mainly in rural areas but they can be found in some urban areas. Bats don’t “see” like we do. Their vision is minimal. Instead of sight, these amazing animals rely on echolocation, which is similar to sonar. As they fly, bats emit squeaks that are mostly inaudible to human ears. When the squeaks bounce off objects, the bat calculates distance based on the time it takes the sound to return. The accuracy of this in-flight snatch-and-grab is incredible!

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