No Halloween decor is complete without the familiar, black silhouettes of bats. These creatures of the night are a staple in pop culture, but they’re also vital parts of their ecosystems. Though often misunderstood, bats are fascinating creatures who play a big role in our environment.
Bats are Important Pollinators
More than 1,300 bat species across the globe pollinate and fertilize crops and consume vast amounts of harmful insects. Over 500 plant species depend on these pollinators, including common fruits you may have in your kitchen right now like bananas and mangoes. Without bats, we wouldn’t have many of the plants and foods that we love.
Bats Aren’t Actually Blind
A common misconception about bats is that they can’t see at all. While it is true that bats primarily navigate using echolocation, a process that involves emitting sound and then mapping out their space based on the echoes they hear in response, bats can also see quite well. They have small, sensitive eyes that work best in low-light conditions.
Bats Clean Themselves Like Cats Do
If you’ve ever seen a bat up close, you may have found yourself surprised by how much they resemble dogs. Did you know they also have something in common with housecats? Similarly to cats, bats clean themselves with their tongues. They can spend an hour a day grooming, and some species of bats even clean other bats — just like cats do!
77 Species of Bat are Endangered
Bats face a wide variety of threats, from habitat loss to climate change to a decline in insect populations which they rely on for food. In North America, bats are threatened by white-nose syndrome, a disease that has killed millions. Many bats are also needlessly injured or killed in conflicts with humans. They are severely misunderstood creatures, with a common myth being that all bats are rabid. These poor animals need our help to set the record straight and protect them.
Greater Good Charities is dedicated to conserving threatened, endangered, and at-risk animals like bats. With your help, we can protect these important creatures for years to come.
