These two Portuguese libraries are guarded by bats

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University of Coimbra, one of the most beautiful libraries in Portugal Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra. By Benny Marty What do the Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra and the library of the Mafra Palace have in common ? To begin with, they are two of the most beautiful libraries in the world, according to several rankings of this type, such as the one made by the British newspaper The Guardian in 2018. But it is not only their beauty that makes them stand out from other libraries in the world. Both have peculiar guardians: bats . These flying mammals are neither pests nor unwanted inhabitants. It is not really known how many years bats have been living in these libraries, whether it was 300 years ago when the buildings were built or more recently. Curiously, both the building where the Joanina Library is located and the Mafra Palace were erected in the 18th century by King João V of Portugal.

Some tireless workers Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra. By Jl FilpoC Joanina Library workers interviewed by Smithsonian Magazine believe bats have lived there since at least the 19th century . Today, librarians continue to use leather blankets to cover 18th-century tables to protect them Colombia Mobile Number List from bat droppings. But forget it if you think that these animals fly over your head while you read a book. That does not happen. Bats are, in general, nocturnal. That is, they are active at night, when they go in search of food. During the day, these mammals sleep hanging from the highest shelves. At dusk, when the library closes its doors, the bats begin their work, feeding on insects that could damage the books, many of them of great value. These two libraries are your home and not only are you welcome, but special measures are taken to keep you comfortable and still there. In the end, they do very important work, in exchange for shelter. Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra.



By Trishhhh As explained in 2017 by the EFE Agency, cited by El Confidencial , “each specimen of bat that lives in the Coimbra Library can hunt half a thousand insects that fly between the specimens in a single night.” Bats are essential in hunting woodworm , whose larva digs very apparent sinuous galleries in books and can wreak real havoc on both the paper and the leather of the bindings. Those known as “silverfish” ( Lepisma saccharina ), companions of woodworms, are also hunted by bats, because instead of making galleries they end up consuming sheets of paper, preferably from old books. Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra. By xiquinhosilva Librarians and conservators assure that the volumes have been perfectly preserved thanks to these tireless workers. Although these are buildings with numerous old ventilation circuits through which insects can sneak in, everything is impeccable.