How can spit be used to study bats?

In Arizona in the US, scientists have worked out an unusual way to study bats.

Usually, scientists have to capture bats to study them, which isn't easy.

So they've used a new method, and it's a little bit gross - residents and researchers have been collecting bat saliva samples from bird feeders which, when tested, confirmed a new species was living in the state.

They're called Mexican long-nosed bats, and they've been listed as endangered since 1988.

Kristen Lear from Bat Conservation International explains how it all works.

With video and images courtesy of Horizonline Pictures/Bat Conservation International.