Bats (Chiroptera)

I felt compelled to rewrite this article, as it is my mission to dispel the myth about bats and other animals.  I urge you all to read on and learn more about this misunderstood mammal and educate others about bats.

Bats are the most misunderstood mammals.  They have been depicted in movies as exhibiting vampire-lie behavior towards humans.  As a matter of fact, Vampire Bats only live in Latin America and they do not kill humans; they prey on small animals.  Also, contrary to popular belief, Bats are timid.  They are not aggressive, as they have been portrayed.  This article is intended to dispel fear of this interesting mammal.

“Insect-eating” bats are intelligent mammals with incredible navigational capabilities through “sonar-echolation.”  These bats locate their food through sonar.  “Using sound alone, they can detect obstacles as fine as a human hair in total darkness.”  (Batcon.org)
The Bats’ diet consists of insects, fruit, and small animals.  Bats are not blind, nor are they all rabid.  In fact, less than 1 percent have Rabies (University of Florida).  They have strong immune systems.

Many bat species are endangered.  “Out of 45 species in the United States, 6 species are endangered and 20 species are of special concern.”  (UFW.gov)  Depletion of bats is due to fear by people, pesticide usage, deforestation, development, and deliberate acts of vandalism.

Bats are invaluable to our environment as they pollinate flowers; eat nectar, insects, and fruit.  (Tropical Bats, through their dispersal of seed, account for 95 percent of Rainforest growth.)  The are a natural form of pest control, as they eat insects, such as, mosquitoes, beetles, grasshoppers, and other “night-flying pests.”  Without Bats, this world could experience “Economic and environmental devastation.”  The flowers and plants would die, as they would no longer be pollinated, the world would be overwhelmed by pests, resulting in disease; the crops would be destroyed because of grasshoppers and crickets, resulting in famine.

Some other behavioral characteristics of Bats include gathering in colonies “under bridges, shrubs, roof overhangs, attics, and dead trees.” sleeping with their heads upside down ; and hung at night. (Batcon.org)

The plight of the bat is unknown.

What can we do to save these interesting nocturnal creatures?

• Build Bat houses.  The most fabulous Bat House, it has be said, is located at the University of Florida, Gainesville Campus, and is worth a visit.
• Do Not Use pesticides as they are harmful and cause sterility.  Bats only birth one to two pups a year, which makes them vulnerable to extinction.
• Landscape your yard with native plants.
• Read books about Bats.
• Dispel the myths about Bats by educating people.
• Get involved in organizations, such as, Bat Conservation International.

Let us envision a world that is bat friendly.

Let us envision a world that is pesticide-free, so the bat population prevails.

Next time you think about calling your pest control company, consult a colony of bats; they will come in the evening free of charge!

Sources:  Batcon.org, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, and UFW.gov.