Writing research - Bats!

Bats! I am researching bats for my new Nano story and a few thoughts came to mind. I've been trying to find the answer, but thought I would put those questions out to those in the blogosphere. I'm sure those of you into forensics or your significant other will know the answer.

Are bats bothered by dead bodies in their cave or other places they may roost. Would they vacate the cave and take up residence elsewhere?

What does bat guano do to a dead body? Would it make it decompose faster or slower or have no affect at all?

In addition, these questions have sparked James curiosity as well. He asks "what happens physically to a person's body when they die." How do you explain decomposition to a 10 year old? Very carefully because one question leads to another until mom is tempted to say let's look it up on the internet. He likes details - specifics. So does any one have a link to a family friendly, not so morbid, non icky site that will explain in general terms so I may explain to said 10 year old, the sequence of events that happens.

Life with a 10 year old - you got to watch what you say. Questions! Questions! Questions!


  1. I have absolutely no answers for James!! Sorry. I hate bats!!

  2. I like to watch as it is getting dark and the bats are falling out of the trees, but that is all I know about them. As for the other...don't really want to know all the particulars.

    When my James was 10 he saw animal babies being born and then wanted to see a "real" baby being born! Yep, it was always something.

  3. Do you subscribe to the mailing list DororthyL? they ask those kinds of questions all the time (and get help).

    To subscribe: mail DOROTHYL-subscribe-request@LISTSERV.KENT.EDU

    Or do a search (I think there's a website for the list).

  4. Sorry, I can't really help with this one. I generally put stuff in my google search like "decomposing body elementary school" or something like that. There are tons of educational sites out there that have all kinds of fascinating info. Sometimes I have to play with the search words, but I usually find what I'm looking for.

  5. Oh my goodness! Good luck finding your answers. I haven't a clue! It's cool that you and your son can "look things up" together though. I can't wait until my kids start asking questions we have to look up!

  6. I don't know anything about bats, sorry. But I would think once they got used to a dead body, it wouldn't bother the bats.

    When I was little I used to wander around the prairie and observe the dead animals out there decomposing. It can pretty interesting. I sympathize with James' fascination. :)


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