All Things Biology

Do you ever see wild animals?

But aren’t wild animals hidden everywhere?

The biological definition of an animal is that they are eukaryotic multicellular organisms of the biological kingdom Animalia. Kingdoms are a taxonomic rank used to organise living organisms based on any shared characteristics they might have. So what constitutes a wild animal? I guess those that are undomesticated. For me, living in a more rural part of the UK, I am lucky enough to say that wild animals are truly all around me.

Okay, so I am not talking about the exciting and dangerous animals one might see in the Amazon like a jaguar or a cougar. More like a badger, hedgehog, insects, mouse, or, if you’re lucky, a fox… Perhaps these are the kind of wild animals that go unnoticed, maybe are even unappreciated. But it’s these wild animals, the less noticed ones, that help make such diverse ecosystems, and promote healthy habitats and ultimately a healthy world.

Despite being lucky enough to be surrounded by wild animals, a particular moment in time stands out most to me when answering this question. I am reminded of my second year at University, where I went on a field trip to conduct a bat survey in the countryside of the UK. As the sun set we began to arm ourselves with our kit.

The kit involved a bat detector, ultrasound microphone and more. Armed and ready, we took our position and stood within the overgrown foliage behind an abandoned barn. All that was left to do was wait. After some time the bat detector began to make some noises indicating bats were near.

Soon, the bats began emerging one by one out of the abandoned barn, flying so quickly one blink would miss them.

So next time you see an abandoned barn, look beyond the brick walls and into what might be residing within… not just mice and insects but also bats hiding, only to come out when the sun begins to set.

Do you want to conduct your own bat survey? Just head outside when the sun starts to set and start counting! Make sure to make a note of the number of bats you see, the location and the time at which you saw them. Check out the bat conservation trusts website linked below to find out more about bat surveys and getting involved.