SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/bats-are-not-blind

Is it true that bats are blind?

No. Bats can see, and many see well in dim light.

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The Just Right card

Too littleBats can't see at all
Too muchBats see sharp colors like us
Just rightSmall eyes, very sensitive in the dark

Huh, didn't know that: Bats use echolocation to navigate and find insect prey by listening for returning echoes.

The dad joke
What's a bat's favorite dessert? Upside-down cake.
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References

Answer: No, they can see, even in dim light. Bats have small eyes with very sensitive vision for the dark. They don't see sharp colors like we do, but they don't need to.

  1. USGS: Are bats blind? www.usgs.gov/faqs/are-bats-blind
    No, bats are not blind. Bats have small eyes with very sensitive vision, which helps them see in conditions we might consider pitch black.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. National Park Service: Echolocation www.nps.gov/subjects/bats/echolocation.htm
    Bats navigate and find insect prey using echolocation.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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