The Bat Caves & James Chubb visit

On Tuesday 9th March we were visited by the East Devon Ranger James Chubb who came into school to talk to the children about bats. The children found the talk fascinating and asked him some really good questions. Following on from this talk the whole school had the exciting opportunity of visiting the caves at Beer to see a range of different species of bat in their own natural environment. Dr Fiona Matthews lead us on a tour of the caves. She explained to the children that the caves at Beer are of great importance to the bat population and that many different species of bats can be found hibernating there over the winter months. She told us that the bats were now preparing to go out into the countryside for spring and summer, as food supplies increase with warmer weather.

We also met local historian, John Scott who told the children about the history of quarrying in the caves that dated from Roman times right up until 1960. The children thoroughly enjoyed the visit and returned to school discussing the morning’s events with great interest and enthusiasm. we would like to thank the East Devon Ranger Pete Young who invited us and organised the visit.

Below are some facts that the children in Class 2 have researched about bats:

Bat facts 1:

  • Bats can eat 5,000 bugs per night.
  • Bats can see really well in day light
  • Bats knees are the other way round to ours
  • Bats like to live in wet caves
  • Horse Bat babies are only as big as baked beans
  • A bat can only have one baby a year
  • Bats have very high pitched voices
Jessica (Y4) Class 2

Bat facts 2:
 
  • In Devon we have 12 of the 16 types of bat
  • Bats like to live in damp and cool places
  • Bats are the only flying mammals
  • When their babies are born they huddle together to keep themselves warm
  • Bats eat 5,000 bugs a night to keep themselves happy
  • Bats use something called echo location for communication
Natasha (Y5) Class 2