Each year during the last week of October, wildlife enthusiasts all across the world celebrate an important and exciting event – Bat Week! Conservation organizations, government agencies, wildlife educators, and members of the public take the time to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, these amazing creatures and to encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.
Despite facing many of the same threats that affect other wildlife species – habitat loss and degradation, global climate change, human activity, etc. – negative or fearful attitudes and misinformed public perceptions often make conservation efforts difficult. This year, the Wildlife Center is celebrating by sharing educational resources, tips to live in harmony with wild bats, and ideas that you can share with friends and family.
What makes bats so special? Check out these bat facts!
- 1,300 unique species of bats exist worldwide, representing 20% of all mammals. Here in Virginia, 17 species of bats have been officially observed.
- Some bats eat insects; others rely on pollen, nectar, and fruit; some bats even hunt fish and crustaceans!
- They are the only flying mammal on the planet. Their taxonomic order, Chiroptera, originates from the Latin words “hand-wing”.
- Bats are fast fliers – very fast! In 2016, researchers found that the Mexican Free-tailed Bat could reach speeds of nearly 100 mph during flight.
- Some bats have surprisingly long lifespans compared to other similarly-sized mammals; certain species are documented reaching 30 to 40 years of age in the wild.
Bats are present in many myths, folklore stories, and legends across the world. Over the centuries, these stories may have contributed to common, modern-day misconceptions about them. For example:
- Bats are not blind. While about 70% of species primarily use echolocation to find prey and navigate their surroundings, all bat species have accurate eyesight.
- Bats are neither “flying rodents”, nor are they closely related to them; bats belong to the order Chiroptera, while rodents belong to the order Rodentia.
- Not all bats suck blood. Technically, no bats “suck” blood – while three species worldwide do consume (non-human) blood as a regular food source, they actually lap up trickles of blood from small incisions made with their sharp teeth.
Bats are not only fascinating, but they are also incredibly beneficial to our environment and everyday lives. No matter where they’re found, bats collectively provide three essential ecological services:
- Pollination: When fruit and nectar-seeking bats touch multiple flowering plants during feeding, pollen is transferred from flower to flower and pollination occurs. Insects like butterflies and bees are well-known pollinators, but bats are especially effective in this role; they can travel much further distances in a shorter period of time compared to smaller animals, benefiting plant species that may grow in a more spread-out area.
- Seed Dispersal: Similarly to their roles as pollinators, bats’ ability to fly long distances make them excellent “aerial farmers”. Bats occasionally defecate while flying, dispersing fruit seeds along the way. Figs, almonds, papayas, agave, cashews, and mangos are among the many agriculturally valuable foods that bats help sustain.
- Pest Control: Overabundant populations of certain insects — such as disease-bearing mosquitos, or crop-damaging moths and beetles — cause harm to ecosystems. Some insectivorous bats have been documented consuming their entire body weight in these pests during a single night!
Bats are an amazing and diverse group of animals that are worth celebrating. During Bat Week 2022 – and year-round — consider the following resources, activities, and ideas to get involved in helping to protect them:
- Create a bat-friendly garden near your home, no matter where you live. Even small, urban spaces that feature the right plants can attract the insects that many bat species eat. See tips and garden plans created by the U.S. Forest Service.
- Watch and share Untamed Episode Nine: Bats, and Episode 407: Pollinators, part of an award-winning series co-produced by the Wildlife Center of Virginia and VPM. Don’t forget to visit the compendium — a library of materials that support each episode of Untamed, including patient stories and videos, additional learning resources, and worksheets and activities for students — after the credits!
- Throughout the Center’s 40-year history, many bat patients have been admitted due to preventable human-bat conflicts. Learn how to live in harmony with bats as neighbors in the Wildlife Help & Advice section of our website.
- Encourage wild bats to live in nearby natural habitats by building and installing a bat house! Find detailed, illustrated directions and background information on Bat Conservation International’s website.
- Donate to the Wildlife Center to provide life-saving emergency medical care for sick, injured, and orphaned wild bats.
Happy Bat Week 2022!