Bats are amazing mammals. They fly and are really cute. Though often associated with Halloween, these animals are very important.
Bats are Good for the Environment.
Bats help the environment in many ways. Bats live in almost all habitats, except polar regions or deserts. Bats are important because they pollinate plants and help spread seeds. Bats can even help plant forests. They eat the fruit and drop the seeds. Some bats have evolved only to eat local plants. Bats help plants by carrying pollen on their fur from flower to flower. Another way that bats help is by eating pests. One bat eats about 1,200 insects every hour. This could help people because bats could save the U.S. up to one billion dollars in pesticide costs. Bats also help people by pollinating over 300 types of fruit, like cacao, bananas, and avocados.
Bats are Amazing Creatures.
Bats are cute because they are tiny, furry, and amazing creatures. The smallest type of bat is the bumble bee bat, also called the Kitti’s hog-nosed bat. This species of bat is about one inch long. Another small bat is the little brown bat. This bat has a soft, fuzzy coat. Bats are the only mammals that can fly. The flying fox has the largest wingspan for a bat, reaching up to 6 feet long. Bats can fly at over 100 miles per hour! Some bats hibernate while others migrate. Female bats usually have one baby bat at a time. Bat pups are taken care of in nursery colonies. Most bats live under 20 years. The oldest bat lived 41 years! Bats have an incredible sense of smell. Also, fruit bats have the best vision. In the dark, bats navigate by using echolocation and scent. There are more than 1,400 species of bats. Even though some people think bats are scary, only 3 species of bats drink blood from cattle and horses. Most bats eat fruit, insects, or nectar.
Bats are in Danger.
Bats face many threats and some are endangered species. One of these threats is the white-nose syndrome. This disease causes bats to have a white fungus on their face and wings. Millions of bats have died from this. Another danger for bats is habitat destruction. There are fewer places for bats to live in due to deforestation. Climate change also affects bats because they can’t regulate their body temperature and therefore are vulnerable to heat waves and floods. Hunting has decreased bat populations dramatically. Human activity, such as wind turbines, cave explorations, and electric netting around crops, has greatly affected bats.
More than 200 species of bats are endangered around the world.
Ways to Help Bats
There are many ways for people to help save bats. One way to help bats is by putting up a bat box in your backyard. If you have a big tree, that could help bats by sheltering them. Another thing you can do is plant a garden. That way, bats have more food to eat. Avoid going to caves where bats hibernate. This can help stop the spread of white-nose syndrome. If you find an injured bat, you should call a wildlife rehabilitation center at 503-292-0304 right away. Never touch a wild bat, because they could make you sick. Another way to help bats is to turn off lights at night. Bats are important creatures that need our help. They are endangered, and we should help save them.
