# data[].attributes.body
Human development is causing a decline in bat populations

# data[].attributes.body
606-04 16 19 26

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Protection from predators: Your home offers safety from owls, hawks, and other natural threats bats face in the wild.

606-2 10 14 25

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we discourage the general public from handling bats

606-08 13 24 27

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City living can offer bats some important creature comforts.

606-7、11、12、20

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1.Spread Awareness

2. Put Up a Bat House

3. Reduce Pesticide Use

4. Leave dead trees

5. Get Involved

# data[].attributes.body
Why do bats face challenges in finding food because of human activities?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Geoffroy's Tailless Bat (Anoura geoffroyi), Costa Rica
© Michael & Patricia Fogden/Minden Pictures, BCI

An Unlikely Hero With Global Impact

Bats have been on Earth for more than 50 million years. With more than 1,400 species, they are the second largest order of mammals, and are widely dispersed across six continents. Globally, bats provide vital ecosystem services in the form of insect pest consumption, plant pollination, and seed dispersal, making them essential to the health of global ecosystems.

Today, bats are under unprecedented threat from widespread habitat destruction, accelerated climate change, invasive species, and other stresses. Without concerted international action, their populations will continue to fall, driving many species to extinction.

Bats are mammals that belong to the order Chiroptera (from the Greek cheir - "hand" and pteron -"wing").

Bats are Important

Pollinators

Most flowering plants cannot produce seeds and fruit without pollination - the process of moving pollen grains from the male part of the flower (the stamen) to the female part (the pistil). This process also improves the genetic diversity of cross-pollinated plants. From deserts to rainforests, nectar-feeding bats that drink the sweet nectar inside flowers pick up a dusting of pollen and move it along to other flowers as they feed.

This role as a pollinator is critical for a wide variety of plants, such as giant cacti and agave, which would not thrive without bats. Bat pollination also plays a vital role in the cultivation of a host of commercial products, including balsa wood, carob, cloves, and durian fruit.

Seed Dispersers

Vast expanses of the world's rainforest are cleared every year for logging, agriculture, ranching, and other uses. And fruit-eating bats are key players in restoring those vital forests.

Regenerating clear-cut forests is a complex natural process, one that requires seed-scattering by many animals besides bats. Many fruit-eating animals drop seeds back into the ground, but these droppings typically occur within proximity to where they live. Night-foraging fruit bats, on the other hand, often cover vast distances each night, and many of these species are quite willing to cross clearings and typically defecate in flight, scattering far more seeds than animals such as birds across cleared areas. Seeds dropped by bats can account for up to 95 percent of the first new growth.

This ability to transport seeds is highly crucial - as the conditions left by forest clearings are often hot, dry, and unwelcoming to many types of plants. The seeds dropped by bats are often from hardy pioneer plants, whose first growth serves as shelter and cover for more delicate plants.

J. Scott Altenbach

8 Amazing Bat Facts

1. Bats are the only mammal capable of true flight.

2. Tequila is produced from agave plants that in the wild rely on bats as their primary pollinators.

3. The world's smallest bat is the Bumblebee Bat measuring up to 29 - 33 mm (1.1 -3 in) in length and 2 g (0.071 oz) in mass as a full-grown adult.

4. The world's largest bat is the Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox with a wingspan up to 6 ft!

5. The oldest known bat was a male Brant's myotis who lived at least 41 years.

6. The fastest bat in the world is the Mexican Free-tailed Bat, flying in short bursts at speeds up to 100 mph!

7. Of the 1,400+ species of bats in the world, only three are vampire bats that drink blood.

8. Bracken Cave is the world's largest bat colony. Located near San Antonio, Texas, USA, this is a summer maternity colony for up to 20 million Mexican Free-tailed Bats.

Conservation Status

21

Bat species are critically endangered (face imminent risk of extinction)

83

Bat species are endangered

109

Bat species are considered vulnerable

242

Bat species are considered "Data Deficient," an indicator that more conservation attention is necessary for these species

Pygmy Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus phaeotis), costa rica
© Michael & Patricia Fogden/Minden Pictures, BCI

Florida Bonneted Bat
Dustin Smith

A dangerous time for bats.

As bat populations continue to decline worldwide, their potential for extinction only grows. While some of the challenges they face are endemic to their order, such as their slow gestation periods and diseases like White-nose Syndrome, the primary cause of their decline is human activity including:

The ongoing destruction of natural habitats

Hunting and persecution for sport and meat

The growing use of wind-turbine energy

The proliferation of harmful myths

Bats are among the slowest-reproducing mammals on earth for their size - On average, most species only give birth to one pup per year.

Bats are threatened

Climate Change

Global climate change is a major threat to the ecological integrity of our planet. The negative forces of climate change are often most severe on species already imperiled by habitat loss and other stressors. Integral to our mission to protect global bat populations is developing science-based strategies that address threats to bats around the world to prevent extinctions and faunal collapse.

Major threats that climate change poses to global bat populations:

Mortality from increased severity and frequency of extreme weather events

Flying foxes are dying in alarming numbers in Australia from extreme heat waves

Bats on islands are threatened by severe tropical storms, especially when coupled with extensive habitat loss and persecution on islands.

Increased aridity and drought reduce survival and reproductive success of bats
Bats in arid and semi-arid landscapes have lower fitness during drought. The long-term consequences could result in range contraction of bat species and loss of bat diversity in arid and semi-arid regions of the world.

Changes in timing of migration and potential for phenology mismatch between bats and critical food resources during critical life stages
Species of insectivorous and pollinating bats that undergo long-distance migrations and depend on seasonal timing of food resources to fuel migrations could be negatively impacted by shifts in phenology of available resources (e.g. flowering plants or seasonal insect abundance).

Climate change is a global problem necessitating a global solution, but local interventions and targeted actions play a critical role in protecting species from its adverse effects. Effective conservation strategies must address current and future impacts from climate change, including creating resiliency and mitigating the threats of extreme weather events, increased drought, and shifts in phenology and habitat suitability. Our work to protect bats includes strategies that promote climate adaptation, mitigation, and identifies key research needs. Specifically, Bat Conservation International takes action by:

Promoting Climate Adaptation for Bats

Securing resilient habitats for imperiled bats threatened by climate change

We protect critical habitat refugia for island endemic bats vulnerable to increased severity and frequency of tropical storms (e.g. Fiji, Jamaica)

We provide safe roosting structures for endangered species in hurricane-prone areas (e.g. Florida bonneted bat)

We protect subterranean roosts to provide habitat resiliency for bat communities

Protecting and restoring habitat networks for migratory species experiencing shifting phenology

Our Bracken Cave preserve protects the largest known colony of Mexican free-tailed bats during the summer maternity season and now also protects a growing population of bats overwintering in Texas

We restore agave plants in desert and montane habitats across the migratory range of nectar-feeding bats in Mexico and the US-Mexico borderlands to provide climate resilient corridors for migratory pollinating bats

Supporting Climate Mitigation Solutions
We invest in researching solutions that reduce bat fatalities at wind energy facilities; supporting renewable energy development that is sustainable and does not negatively impact biodiversity while producing carbon-free energy

Leading Research to Inform Conservation Priorities in a Changing Climate

Persecution

In many parts of the world, bats are victims of casual killing, the result of harmful myths and misplaced fears. In Latin America, whole colonies of beneficial bats are routinely slaughtered, the victims of a mistaken belief that all bats are vampires. (In reality, only three of the more than 1,400 bat species feed on blood, and all are in Latin America.)

In regions such as Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands, large fruit-eating bats are hunted, both for local consumption and commercially for markets and restaurants. Some bats are also used in traditional folk medicines.

Wind Energy

The dramatic growth of wind energy throughout much of the world has also taken a considerable toll on bats, with scientists estimating that hundreds of thousands are killed each year in the United States alone. This mortality is due to both collisions with the spinning blades of wind turbines and rapid pressure change at turbines that can rupture blood vessels.

Between 2000 and 2011, an estimated 650,000 to 1.3 million bats died from collisions with wind turbines in the United States and Canada (Arnett and Baerwald 2013). Additionally, as many as 400,000 estimated fatalities may have occurred in 2012. Migratory bats, such as hoary bats and silver-haired bats, make up a large part of these casualties.

With wind-generated energy expected to expand from the current 82,000 MW to 224,000 MW by 2030 (U.S.DOE Wind Vision 2015), the impact on bat populations from this build-out could be devastating unless solutions to minimize fatalities are developed and implemented.

Our collaboration with the Bats and Wind Energy Cooperative (BWEC) has led to meaningful research suggesting practical solutions to reduce bat mortality. Other research has focused on trying to understand what makes bats more susceptible to wind turbine collisions, be it some attraction to turbines themselves, or that they somehow affect geographic features bats use during migration.

Bat Facts

Congress Avenue Bridge, Texas, USA
© Amanda Stronza, BCI

Bats, humans, and health.

Simply left alone, bats are harmless and highly beneficial. They are fascinating creatures, vital to the balance of nature around the world. Like most wild animals, bats prefer to avoid contact with humans. But in situations where bats and humans come into close proximity, it is important to understand how to prevent negative outcomes for humans and bats.

Here are several scenarios that might bring bats and humans together:

Bats sometimes accidentally fly into a home or business through open doors or windows

Bats might take advantage of an existing small opening into an attic, wall space, or chimney, and roost in structures where humans live or work

Sick, injured, or even dead bats sometimes fall to the ground where humans live

In each of these situations, we discourage the general public from handling bats. See below for information about possible health risks that may apply.

Bats and Human Health

Rabies

Rabies is a preventable viral infection of the central nervous system in mammals. Bats, like most mammals, can contract the rabies virus, but the vast majority never do. When bats do get rabies, they eventually die from the disease and do not "carry" the virus indefinitely without themselves getting sick.

The virus is typically transmitted by the bite of an infected animal - anyone bitten by a bat (or any other wild or unknown domestic animal) should seek immediate medical attention. People can, in rare instances, contract rabies if infectious material, such as saliva from a rabid animal, gets into their eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about Rabies here

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease caused by a fungus that grows in soil enriched by animal droppings, including those from bats. Ninety percent of all reported cases in humans come from the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and adjacent areas where warm, humid conditions favor fungal growth.

The disease is rare or nonexistent in most of Canada and in the far northern and western United States. The majority of cases are asymptomatic or involve flu-like symptoms, though some individuals become seriously ill, especially if exposed to large quantities of spore-laden dust.

To be safe, avoid breathing dust in areas where there are animal droppings; if you must clean an area of bat or bird droppings, wear a respirator that can guard against particles as small as two microns.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about Histoplasmosis here

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Bats 101 - Bat Conservation International

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Bats have been on Earth for more than 50 million years. With more than 1,400 species, they are the second largest order of mammals, and are widely dispersed across six continents.

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Keep cats indoors.

606-6、9、18、23

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Why do bats face some challenges in finding a safe home?

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You may be surprised to learn that bats can be found living in urban areas around the world.

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How can we help bats
Leave bats alone. If you see a bat, do not disturb it.

606 3 21

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We need bats if we want healthy and diverse ecosystems filled with a variety of organisms. Many bats feast on insects, some pollinate plants, and some bats spread seeds, too. Larger animals may depend on bats for prey. Aside from all these great services, bats are the only mammal that's capable of true flight, and they're simply fascinating.

The deadly fungal disease, white-nose syndrome (WNS), poses a real danger to cave-dwelling bats. WNS has killed 99% of some bat colonies. Tree-roosting and migratory bats face significant threats from wind turbines. Habitat loss and climate change also make it difficult for bats to survive and thrive.

But we can all help protect bats and their habitats! Try some of these ideas to help conserve bats. You can help bats in your own yard and community, and you can learn how to protect bats when you visit parks, too.

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Help Bats - Bats (U.S. National Park Service)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We need bats if we want healthy and diverse ecosystems filled with a variety of organisms. Many bats feast on insects, some pollinate plants, and some bats spread seeds, too. Larger animals may depend on bats for prey. Aside from all these great services, bats are the only mammal that's capable of true flight, and they're simply fascinating.

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by Noel Erickson

Why Bats Enter Homes

Bats don't randomly select houses for roosting-they're drawn to specific conditions that mimic their natural habitats while offering additional benefits. Recognizing these factors is crucial to understanding why your home might be particularly attractive to bats.

The Search for Ideal Roosting Conditions

Bats seek shelter that provides:

Temperature stability: Attics maintain consistent temperatures necessary for raising young and surviving cooler nights.

Protection from predators: Your home offers safety from owls, hawks, and other natural threats bats face in the wild.

Proximity to food and water: Victoria homes near water sources like the Inner Harbour or Gorge Waterway are particularly attractive, as these areas are rich in flying insects.

Darkness and minimal disturbance: Undisturbed attics, wall voids, and chimney spaces provide the quiet, dark environment these mammals prefer for resting.

The structural features of older homes, with their classic architecture and often less-sealed construction, create ideal entry points for these creatures, which can squeeze through openings as small as 6 millimetres-about the size of a dime.

Common Entry Points That Attract Bats to Houses

Knowing how bats access your home helps identify vulnerabilities that may be attracting them in the first place. Our technicians have identified these primary entry points during thousands of inspections:

1. Roof intersections and valleys: The junction where different roof sections meet often develops gaps as buildings settle.

2. Deteriorated soffits and fascia boards: Weather-damaged or aging materials create openings bats can exploit.

3. Uncapped chimneys: An open chimney is essentially an invitation for bats looking for vertical roosting spaces.

4. Vents without proper screens: Attic, gable, and ridge vents provide direct access when not properly protected.

5. Gaps around pipes and utility lines: Small openings often form where utilities enter your home, which are perfect for entry.

Even recently built properties can have construction gaps where materials meet that aren't properly sealed. The character-rich historic homes around James Bay or Rockland neighbourhoods often have more entry opportunities due to settling and aging materials.

Seasonal Factors in Bat Home Invasions

The timing of bat invasions isn't random. Understanding seasonal patterns helps predict when your home is at the highest risk and when prevention efforts are most crucial.

Maternity Season: A Critical Time

Fall Transition Period

As summer ends and temperatures begin to drop, bats prepare for hibernation. During this transitional period, they actively seek protected spaces to overwinter. They may investigate new roosting options, including your home. Young bats born that summer are now flying and looking for roosting sites. This fall transition represents another high-risk period for new invasions in local homes, particularly those near natural areas like Beacon Hill Park or Mount Douglas.

Health and Property Concerns

Health Risks of Bat Infestations

Colonies present several health concerns. Guano accumulation can lead to respiratory infections like histoplasmosis when spores become airborne. While rare, bats are known rabies carriers, and the disease is transmissible through bites or scratches. Bat bugs, similar to bed bugs, can infest homes and occasionally bite humans. Additionally, surfaces contaminated with urine and droppings can harbour various bacteria.

Property Damage Concerns

Beyond health risks, bat colonies can damage homes in several ways:

Insulation contamination: Guano and urine soil attic insulation, reducing its effectiveness and requiring replacement.

Staining and odour issues: Urine can seep through ceilings and walls, creating stains and persistent odours.

Structural deterioration: Over time, the acidic properties of guano can degrade wooden structural elements.

The costs of addressing these issues increase the longer a colony remains, making early detection and prevention crucial for homeowners.

Preventing Bats in Homes: Practical Solutions

Home Maintenance to Deter Bats

Conduct regular exterior inspections, especially of your roofline, soffits, and fascia boards, at least twice a year, particularly before the maternity season begins in May. Use appropriate materials to close gaps 6mm or larger around your home's exterior-remember, if you can fit a dime in the gap, a bat can enter. Install fine mesh screens (6mm or smaller) on all attic and gable vents while ensuring proper airflow is maintained. Replace rotting fascia boards, soffits, and other wooden elements that may create entry opportunities. Plan preventative work during the fall after the maternity season ends but before hibernation begins-typically late August through September in Victoria.

Professional Exclusion Methods

Identifying Bat Activity in Your Victoria Home

Understanding Bat Biology: Key to Effective Management

Our approach to management is grounded in a scientific understanding of these remarkable animals. Key biological factors that influence management include their hibernation patterns and reproductive timelines. Understanding these elements is essential for effective intervention and humane solutions to bat issues.

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What Attracts Bats To Your Home? | Skedaddle Victoria

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Wondering what attracts bats into a house? Read our latest blog and learn why bats invade local homes, the risks they pose, and how to prevent infestations.

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Geoffroy's Tailless Bat (Anoura geoffroyi), Costa Rica
© Michael & Patricia Fogden/Minden Pictures, BCI

An Unlikely Hero With Global Impact

Bats have been on Earth for more than 50 million years. With more than 1,400 species, they are the second largest order of mammals, and are widely dispersed across six continents. Globally, bats provide vital ecosystem services in the form of insect pest consumption, plant pollination, and seed dispersal, making them essential to the health of global ecosystems.

Today, bats are under unprecedented threat from widespread habitat destruction, accelerated climate change, invasive species, and other stresses. Without concerted international action, their populations will continue to fall, driving many species to extinction.

Bats are mammals that belong to the order Chiroptera (from the Greek cheir - "hand" and pteron -"wing").

Bats are Important

Pollinators

Most flowering plants cannot produce seeds and fruit without pollination - the process of moving pollen grains from the male part of the flower (the stamen) to the female part (the pistil). This process also improves the genetic diversity of cross-pollinated plants. From deserts to rainforests, nectar-feeding bats that drink the sweet nectar inside flowers pick up a dusting of pollen and move it along to other flowers as they feed.

This role as a pollinator is critical for a wide variety of plants, such as giant cacti and agave, which would not thrive without bats. Bat pollination also plays a vital role in the cultivation of a host of commercial products, including balsa wood, carob, cloves, and durian fruit.

Seed Dispersers

Vast expanses of the world's rainforest are cleared every year for logging, agriculture, ranching, and other uses. And fruit-eating bats are key players in restoring those vital forests.

Regenerating clear-cut forests is a complex natural process, one that requires seed-scattering by many animals besides bats. Many fruit-eating animals drop seeds back into the ground, but these droppings typically occur within proximity to where they live. Night-foraging fruit bats, on the other hand, often cover vast distances each night, and many of these species are quite willing to cross clearings and typically defecate in flight, scattering far more seeds than animals such as birds across cleared areas. Seeds dropped by bats can account for up to 95 percent of the first new growth.

This ability to transport seeds is highly crucial - as the conditions left by forest clearings are often hot, dry, and unwelcoming to many types of plants. The seeds dropped by bats are often from hardy pioneer plants, whose first growth serves as shelter and cover for more delicate plants.

J. Scott Altenbach

8 Amazing Bat Facts

1. Bats are the only mammal capable of true flight.

2. Tequila is produced from agave plants that in the wild rely on bats as their primary pollinators.

3. The world's smallest bat is the Bumblebee Bat measuring up to 29 - 33 mm (1.1 -3 in) in length and 2 g (0.071 oz) in mass as a full-grown adult.

4. The world's largest bat is the Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox with a wingspan up to 6 ft!

5. The oldest known bat was a male Brant's myotis who lived at least 41 years.

6. The fastest bat in the world is the Mexican Free-tailed Bat, flying in short bursts at speeds up to 100 mph!

7. Of the 1,400+ species of bats in the world, only three are vampire bats that drink blood.

8. Bracken Cave is the world's largest bat colony. Located near San Antonio, Texas, USA, this is a summer maternity colony for up to 20 million Mexican Free-tailed Bats.

Conservation Status

21

Bat species are critically endangered (face imminent risk of extinction)

83

Bat species are endangered

109

Bat species are considered vulnerable

242

Bat species are considered "Data Deficient," an indicator that more conservation attention is necessary for these species

Pygmy Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus phaeotis), costa rica
© Michael & Patricia Fogden/Minden Pictures, BCI

Florida Bonneted Bat
Dustin Smith

A dangerous time for bats.

As bat populations continue to decline worldwide, their potential for extinction only grows. While some of the challenges they face are endemic to their order, such as their slow gestation periods and diseases like White-nose Syndrome, the primary cause of their decline is human activity including:

The ongoing destruction of natural habitats

Hunting and persecution for sport and meat

The growing use of wind-turbine energy

The proliferation of harmful myths

Bats are among the slowest-reproducing mammals on earth for their size - On average, most species only give birth to one pup per year.

Bats are threatened

Climate Change

Global climate change is a major threat to the ecological integrity of our planet. The negative forces of climate change are often most severe on species already imperiled by habitat loss and other stressors. Integral to our mission to protect global bat populations is developing science-based strategies that address threats to bats around the world to prevent extinctions and faunal collapse.

Major threats that climate change poses to global bat populations:

Mortality from increased severity and frequency of extreme weather events

Flying foxes are dying in alarming numbers in Australia from extreme heat waves

Bats on islands are threatened by severe tropical storms, especially when coupled with extensive habitat loss and persecution on islands.

Increased aridity and drought reduce survival and reproductive success of bats
Bats in arid and semi-arid landscapes have lower fitness during drought. The long-term consequences could result in range contraction of bat species and loss of bat diversity in arid and semi-arid regions of the world.

Changes in timing of migration and potential for phenology mismatch between bats and critical food resources during critical life stages
Species of insectivorous and pollinating bats that undergo long-distance migrations and depend on seasonal timing of food resources to fuel migrations could be negatively impacted by shifts in phenology of available resources (e.g. flowering plants or seasonal insect abundance).

Climate change is a global problem necessitating a global solution, but local interventions and targeted actions play a critical role in protecting species from its adverse effects. Effective conservation strategies must address current and future impacts from climate change, including creating resiliency and mitigating the threats of extreme weather events, increased drought, and shifts in phenology and habitat suitability. Our work to protect bats includes strategies that promote climate adaptation, mitigation, and identifies key research needs. Specifically, Bat Conservation International takes action by:

Promoting Climate Adaptation for Bats

Securing resilient habitats for imperiled bats threatened by climate change

We protect critical habitat refugia for island endemic bats vulnerable to increased severity and frequency of tropical storms (e.g. Fiji, Jamaica)

We provide safe roosting structures for endangered species in hurricane-prone areas (e.g. Florida bonneted bat)

We protect subterranean roosts to provide habitat resiliency for bat communities

Protecting and restoring habitat networks for migratory species experiencing shifting phenology

Our Bracken Cave preserve protects the largest known colony of Mexican free-tailed bats during the summer maternity season and now also protects a growing population of bats overwintering in Texas

We restore agave plants in desert and montane habitats across the migratory range of nectar-feeding bats in Mexico and the US-Mexico borderlands to provide climate resilient corridors for migratory pollinating bats

Supporting Climate Mitigation Solutions
We invest in researching solutions that reduce bat fatalities at wind energy facilities; supporting renewable energy development that is sustainable and does not negatively impact biodiversity while producing carbon-free energy

Leading Research to Inform Conservation Priorities in a Changing Climate

Persecution

In many parts of the world, bats are victims of casual killing, the result of harmful myths and misplaced fears. In Latin America, whole colonies of beneficial bats are routinely slaughtered, the victims of a mistaken belief that all bats are vampires. (In reality, only three of the more than 1,400 bat species feed on blood, and all are in Latin America.)

In regions such as Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands, large fruit-eating bats are hunted, both for local consumption and commercially for markets and restaurants. Some bats are also used in traditional folk medicines.

Wind Energy

The dramatic growth of wind energy throughout much of the world has also taken a considerable toll on bats, with scientists estimating that hundreds of thousands are killed each year in the United States alone. This mortality is due to both collisions with the spinning blades of wind turbines and rapid pressure change at turbines that can rupture blood vessels.

Between 2000 and 2011, an estimated 650,000 to 1.3 million bats died from collisions with wind turbines in the United States and Canada (Arnett and Baerwald 2013). Additionally, as many as 400,000 estimated fatalities may have occurred in 2012. Migratory bats, such as hoary bats and silver-haired bats, make up a large part of these casualties.

With wind-generated energy expected to expand from the current 82,000 MW to 224,000 MW by 2030 (U.S.DOE Wind Vision 2015), the impact on bat populations from this build-out could be devastating unless solutions to minimize fatalities are developed and implemented.

Our collaboration with the Bats and Wind Energy Cooperative (BWEC) has led to meaningful research suggesting practical solutions to reduce bat mortality. Other research has focused on trying to understand what makes bats more susceptible to wind turbine collisions, be it some attraction to turbines themselves, or that they somehow affect geographic features bats use during migration.

Bat Facts

Congress Avenue Bridge, Texas, USA
© Amanda Stronza, BCI

Bats, humans, and health.

Simply left alone, bats are harmless and highly beneficial. They are fascinating creatures, vital to the balance of nature around the world. Like most wild animals, bats prefer to avoid contact with humans. But in situations where bats and humans come into close proximity, it is important to understand how to prevent negative outcomes for humans and bats.

Here are several scenarios that might bring bats and humans together:

Bats sometimes accidentally fly into a home or business through open doors or windows

Bats might take advantage of an existing small opening into an attic, wall space, or chimney, and roost in structures where humans live or work

Sick, injured, or even dead bats sometimes fall to the ground where humans live

In each of these situations, we discourage the general public from handling bats. See below for information about possible health risks that may apply.

Bats and Human Health

Rabies

Rabies is a preventable viral infection of the central nervous system in mammals. Bats, like most mammals, can contract the rabies virus, but the vast majority never do. When bats do get rabies, they eventually die from the disease and do not "carry" the virus indefinitely without themselves getting sick.

The virus is typically transmitted by the bite of an infected animal - anyone bitten by a bat (or any other wild or unknown domestic animal) should seek immediate medical attention. People can, in rare instances, contract rabies if infectious material, such as saliva from a rabid animal, gets into their eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about Rabies here

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease caused by a fungus that grows in soil enriched by animal droppings, including those from bats. Ninety percent of all reported cases in humans come from the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and adjacent areas where warm, humid conditions favor fungal growth.

The disease is rare or nonexistent in most of Canada and in the far northern and western United States. The majority of cases are asymptomatic or involve flu-like symptoms, though some individuals become seriously ill, especially if exposed to large quantities of spore-laden dust.

To be safe, avoid breathing dust in areas where there are animal droppings; if you must clean an area of bat or bird droppings, wear a respirator that can guard against particles as small as two microns.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about Histoplasmosis here

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Bats 101 - Bat Conservation International

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bats have been on Earth for more than 50 million years. With more than 1,400 species, they are the second largest order of mammals, and are widely dispersed across six continents.

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Indiana Bats in Mammoth Cave National Park. NPS photo.

Help Bats Where You Live

Here are 10 ways you can help bats...anywhere!

1. Learn about the bats in your area.

Bats are often misunderstood. Share what you learn to help bust some of the myths about bats.

2. Limit herbicide and pesticide use.

Many bats eat insects, and some pollinate plants, so limiting these chemicals gives bats healthy foods to eat.

3. Garden for bats.

What you choose to plant in your garden can help bats! Check out this Guide to Gardening for Bats from Bat Conservation International to get some ideas.

4. Turn off the lights for bats.

Bats rely on darkness to survive and light pollution can disrupt their natural behaviors. Find out how you can help protect the night sky where you live.

5. Leave bats alone!

Avoid disturbing bats, especially if they are hibernating.

6. Keep cats indoors.

Cats will happily add bats to their list of edible outdoor creatures. Keeping them indoors or in a cat-io will help protect both bats and birds!

7. Report every close encounter with a bat.

Contact with bats can hold potential human health concerns.

8. Install a bat house.

Find out how to build or install a bat house and answer frequently asked questions about bat houses. Bonus: Having a bat colony in your backyard can help with mosquito control!

9. Leave dead trees.

Bats can roost in dead trees. If the dead tree does not pose a safety concern, consider leaving it as a potential bat roost.

10. Participate in Bat Week!

Bat Week occurs the last week of October every year! It's a time to celebrate and learn about bats!

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Conservation At Home - Bats (U.S. National Park Service)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here are 10 ways you can help bats...anywhere! Bats are often misunderstood. Share what you learn to help bust some of the myths about bats. Many bats eat insects, and some pollinate plants, so limiting these chemicals gives bats healthy foods to eat. What you choose to plant in your garden can help bats!

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If we didn’t have bats, the world would be a different place. Check out these five ways to use a conservation mindset to help bats. Texan By Nature

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How can we help bats?

我們可以怎麼幫助蝙蝠？

# data[].attributes.body
How can we help bats?

我們可以怎麼幫助蝙蝠？

# data[].attributes.body
How can we help bats?

我們可以怎麼幫助蝙蝠？

# data[].attributes.body
Why do bats face challenges in finding food because of human activities?

為什麼蝙蝠因為人類的活動而在找食物時遇到困難？

# data[].attributes.body
Why do bats face challenges in finding food because of human activities?

為什麼蝙蝠因為人類的活動而在找食物時遇到困難？

# data[].attributes.body
Why do bats face some challenges in finding a safe home?

為什麼蝙蝠在找舒服的家時會有困難？

# data[].attributes.body
Why do bats face some challenges in finding a safe home?

為什麼蝙蝠在找舒服的家時會有困難？

# data[].attributes.body
Leave bats alone.

605- 10，11 12 8

# data[].attributes.body
605 2-4-9-18^_^

# data[].attributes.body
The growing use of wind-turbine energy.

605-16、20、7、1

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Geoffroy's Tailless Bat (Anoura geoffroyi), Costa Rica
© Michael & Patricia Fogden/Minden Pictures, BCI

An Unlikely Hero With Global Impact

Bats have been on Earth for more than 50 million years. With more than 1,400 species, they are the second largest order of mammals, and are widely dispersed across six continents. Globally, bats provide vital ecosystem services in the form of insect pest consumption, plant pollination, and seed dispersal, making them essential to the health of global ecosystems.

Today, bats are under unprecedented threat from widespread habitat destruction, accelerated climate change, invasive species, and other stresses. Without concerted international action, their populations will continue to fall, driving many species to extinction.

Bats are mammals that belong to the order Chiroptera (from the Greek cheir - "hand" and pteron -"wing").

Bats are Important

Pollinators

Most flowering plants cannot produce seeds and fruit without pollination - the process of moving pollen grains from the male part of the flower (the stamen) to the female part (the pistil). This process also improves the genetic diversity of cross-pollinated plants. From deserts to rainforests, nectar-feeding bats that drink the sweet nectar inside flowers pick up a dusting of pollen and move it along to other flowers as they feed.

This role as a pollinator is critical for a wide variety of plants, such as giant cacti and agave, which would not thrive without bats. Bat pollination also plays a vital role in the cultivation of a host of commercial products, including balsa wood, carob, cloves, and durian fruit.

Seed Dispersers

Vast expanses of the world's rainforest are cleared every year for logging, agriculture, ranching, and other uses. And fruit-eating bats are key players in restoring those vital forests.

Regenerating clear-cut forests is a complex natural process, one that requires seed-scattering by many animals besides bats. Many fruit-eating animals drop seeds back into the ground, but these droppings typically occur within proximity to where they live. Night-foraging fruit bats, on the other hand, often cover vast distances each night, and many of these species are quite willing to cross clearings and typically defecate in flight, scattering far more seeds than animals such as birds across cleared areas. Seeds dropped by bats can account for up to 95 percent of the first new growth.

This ability to transport seeds is highly crucial - as the conditions left by forest clearings are often hot, dry, and unwelcoming to many types of plants. The seeds dropped by bats are often from hardy pioneer plants, whose first growth serves as shelter and cover for more delicate plants.

J. Scott Altenbach

8 Amazing Bat Facts

1. Bats are the only mammal capable of true flight.

2. Tequila is produced from agave plants that in the wild rely on bats as their primary pollinators.

3. The world's smallest bat is the Bumblebee Bat measuring up to 29 - 33 mm (1.1 -3 in) in length and 2 g (0.071 oz) in mass as a full-grown adult.

4. The world's largest bat is the Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox with a wingspan up to 6 ft!

5. The oldest known bat was a male Brant's myotis who lived at least 41 years.

6. The fastest bat in the world is the Mexican Free-tailed Bat, flying in short bursts at speeds up to 100 mph!

7. Of the 1,400+ species of bats in the world, only three are vampire bats that drink blood.

8. Bracken Cave is the world's largest bat colony. Located near San Antonio, Texas, USA, this is a summer maternity colony for up to 20 million Mexican Free-tailed Bats.

Conservation Status

21

Bat species are critically endangered (face imminent risk of extinction)

83

Bat species are endangered

109

Bat species are considered vulnerable

242

Bat species are considered "Data Deficient," an indicator that more conservation attention is necessary for these species

Pygmy Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus phaeotis), costa rica
© Michael & Patricia Fogden/Minden Pictures, BCI

Florida Bonneted Bat
Dustin Smith

A dangerous time for bats.

As bat populations continue to decline worldwide, their potential for extinction only grows. While some of the challenges they face are endemic to their order, such as their slow gestation periods and diseases like White-nose Syndrome, the primary cause of their decline is human activity including:

The ongoing destruction of natural habitats

Hunting and persecution for sport and meat

The growing use of wind-turbine energy

The proliferation of harmful myths

Bats are among the slowest-reproducing mammals on earth for their size - On average, most species only give birth to one pup per year.

Bats are threatened

Climate Change

Global climate change is a major threat to the ecological integrity of our planet. The negative forces of climate change are often most severe on species already imperiled by habitat loss and other stressors. Integral to our mission to protect global bat populations is developing science-based strategies that address threats to bats around the world to prevent extinctions and faunal collapse.

Major threats that climate change poses to global bat populations:

Mortality from increased severity and frequency of extreme weather events

Flying foxes are dying in alarming numbers in Australia from extreme heat waves

Bats on islands are threatened by severe tropical storms, especially when coupled with extensive habitat loss and persecution on islands.

Increased aridity and drought reduce survival and reproductive success of bats
Bats in arid and semi-arid landscapes have lower fitness during drought. The long-term consequences could result in range contraction of bat species and loss of bat diversity in arid and semi-arid regions of the world.

Changes in timing of migration and potential for phenology mismatch between bats and critical food resources during critical life stages
Species of insectivorous and pollinating bats that undergo long-distance migrations and depend on seasonal timing of food resources to fuel migrations could be negatively impacted by shifts in phenology of available resources (e.g. flowering plants or seasonal insect abundance).

Climate change is a global problem necessitating a global solution, but local interventions and targeted actions play a critical role in protecting species from its adverse effects. Effective conservation strategies must address current and future impacts from climate change, including creating resiliency and mitigating the threats of extreme weather events, increased drought, and shifts in phenology and habitat suitability. Our work to protect bats includes strategies that promote climate adaptation, mitigation, and identifies key research needs. Specifically, Bat Conservation International takes action by:

Promoting Climate Adaptation for Bats

Securing resilient habitats for imperiled bats threatened by climate change

We protect critical habitat refugia for island endemic bats vulnerable to increased severity and frequency of tropical storms (e.g. Fiji, Jamaica)

We provide safe roosting structures for endangered species in hurricane-prone areas (e.g. Florida bonneted bat)

We protect subterranean roosts to provide habitat resiliency for bat communities

Protecting and restoring habitat networks for migratory species experiencing shifting phenology

Our Bracken Cave preserve protects the largest known colony of Mexican free-tailed bats during the summer maternity season and now also protects a growing population of bats overwintering in Texas

We restore agave plants in desert and montane habitats across the migratory range of nectar-feeding bats in Mexico and the US-Mexico borderlands to provide climate resilient corridors for migratory pollinating bats

Supporting Climate Mitigation Solutions
We invest in researching solutions that reduce bat fatalities at wind energy facilities; supporting renewable energy development that is sustainable and does not negatively impact biodiversity while producing carbon-free energy

Leading Research to Inform Conservation Priorities in a Changing Climate

Persecution

In many parts of the world, bats are victims of casual killing, the result of harmful myths and misplaced fears. In Latin America, whole colonies of beneficial bats are routinely slaughtered, the victims of a mistaken belief that all bats are vampires. (In reality, only three of the more than 1,400 bat species feed on blood, and all are in Latin America.)

In regions such as Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands, large fruit-eating bats are hunted, both for local consumption and commercially for markets and restaurants. Some bats are also used in traditional folk medicines.

Wind Energy

The dramatic growth of wind energy throughout much of the world has also taken a considerable toll on bats, with scientists estimating that hundreds of thousands are killed each year in the United States alone. This mortality is due to both collisions with the spinning blades of wind turbines and rapid pressure change at turbines that can rupture blood vessels.

Between 2000 and 2011, an estimated 650,000 to 1.3 million bats died from collisions with wind turbines in the United States and Canada (Arnett and Baerwald 2013). Additionally, as many as 400,000 estimated fatalities may have occurred in 2012. Migratory bats, such as hoary bats and silver-haired bats, make up a large part of these casualties.

With wind-generated energy expected to expand from the current 82,000 MW to 224,000 MW by 2030 (U.S.DOE Wind Vision 2015), the impact on bat populations from this build-out could be devastating unless solutions to minimize fatalities are developed and implemented.

Our collaboration with the Bats and Wind Energy Cooperative (BWEC) has led to meaningful research suggesting practical solutions to reduce bat mortality. Other research has focused on trying to understand what makes bats more susceptible to wind turbine collisions, be it some attraction to turbines themselves, or that they somehow affect geographic features bats use during migration.

Bat Facts

Congress Avenue Bridge, Texas, USA
© Amanda Stronza, BCI

Bats, humans, and health.

Simply left alone, bats are harmless and highly beneficial. They are fascinating creatures, vital to the balance of nature around the world. Like most wild animals, bats prefer to avoid contact with humans. But in situations where bats and humans come into close proximity, it is important to understand how to prevent negative outcomes for humans and bats.

Here are several scenarios that might bring bats and humans together:

Bats sometimes accidentally fly into a home or business through open doors or windows

Bats might take advantage of an existing small opening into an attic, wall space, or chimney, and roost in structures where humans live or work

Sick, injured, or even dead bats sometimes fall to the ground where humans live

In each of these situations, we discourage the general public from handling bats. See below for information about possible health risks that may apply.

Bats and Human Health

Rabies

Rabies is a preventable viral infection of the central nervous system in mammals. Bats, like most mammals, can contract the rabies virus, but the vast majority never do. When bats do get rabies, they eventually die from the disease and do not "carry" the virus indefinitely without themselves getting sick.

The virus is typically transmitted by the bite of an infected animal - anyone bitten by a bat (or any other wild or unknown domestic animal) should seek immediate medical attention. People can, in rare instances, contract rabies if infectious material, such as saliva from a rabid animal, gets into their eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about Rabies here

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease caused by a fungus that grows in soil enriched by animal droppings, including those from bats. Ninety percent of all reported cases in humans come from the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and adjacent areas where warm, humid conditions favor fungal growth.

The disease is rare or nonexistent in most of Canada and in the far northern and western United States. The majority of cases are asymptomatic or involve flu-like symptoms, though some individuals become seriously ill, especially if exposed to large quantities of spore-laden dust.

To be safe, avoid breathing dust in areas where there are animal droppings; if you must clean an area of bat or bird droppings, wear a respirator that can guard against particles as small as two microns.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about Histoplasmosis here

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Bats 101 - Bat Conservation International

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Bats have been on Earth for more than 50 million years. With more than 1,400 species, they are the second largest order of mammals, and are widely dispersed across six continents.

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Stay out of caves when directed. The bats at risk for WNS often hibernate or raise young in caves. They need to be undisturbed so they can rest and raise their young.

605-19、24､ 26、28

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Let bats in the night sky be your legacy. Leave a gift in your will.

605—13、15、23、27

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Stay out of caves when directed.

605—17、21、22、25€

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Bats are one of the most important misunderstood animals

605-2-4-9-18^_^

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bad weather, and other challenges they might face outside.

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605 2-9-4-18

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Bats are one of the most important misunderstood animals | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

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Few of nature’s animals are as misunderstood as bats. We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service want to set the record straight and help others understand the importance of bats. Though often feared and loathed as sinister creatures of the night, bats are vital to the health of our environment and our economy. Here you’ll learn more about why bats are so essential, the threats they’re facing, how we’re conserving bats and how you can help create a bat-friendly environment.

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We need bats if we want healthy and diverse ecosystems filled with a variety of organisms. Many bats feast on insects, some pollinate plants, and some bats spread seeds, too. Larger animals may depend on bats for prey. Aside from all these great services, bats are the only mammal that's capable of true flight, and they're simply fascinating.

The deadly fungal disease, white-nose syndrome (WNS), poses a real danger to cave-dwelling bats. WNS has killed 99% of some bat colonies. Tree-roosting and migratory bats face significant threats from wind turbines. Habitat loss and climate change also make it difficult for bats to survive and thrive.

But we can all help protect bats and their habitats! Try some of these ideas to help conserve bats. You can help bats in your own yard and community, and you can learn how to protect bats when you visit parks, too.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Help Bats - Bats (U.S. National Park Service)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We need bats if we want healthy and diverse ecosystems filled with a variety of organisms. Many bats feast on insects, some pollinate plants, and some bats spread seeds, too. Larger animals may depend on bats for prey. Aside from all these great services, bats are the only mammal that's capable of true flight, and they're simply fascinating.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We need bats if we want healthy and diverse ecosystems filled with a variety of organisms. Many bats feast on insects, some pollinate plants, and some bats spread seeds, too. Larger animals may depend on bats for prey. Aside from all these great services, bats are the only mammal that's capable of true flight, and they're simply fascinating.

The deadly fungal disease, white-nose syndrome (WNS), poses a real danger to cave-dwelling bats. WNS has killed 99% of some bat colonies. Tree-roosting and migratory bats face significant threats from wind turbines. Habitat loss and climate change also make it difficult for bats to survive and thrive.

But we can all help protect bats and their habitats! Try some of these ideas to help conserve bats. You can help bats in your own yard and community, and you can learn how to protect bats when you visit parks, too.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Help Bats - Bats (U.S. National Park Service)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We need bats if we want healthy and diverse ecosystems filled with a variety of organisms. Many bats feast on insects, some pollinate plants, and some bats spread seeds, too. Larger animals may depend on bats for prey. Aside from all these great services, bats are the only mammal that's capable of true flight, and they're simply fascinating.

# data[].attributes.body
How can we help bats?

我們可以怎麼幫助蝙蝠？

# data[].attributes.body
How can we help bats?

我們可以怎麼幫助蝙蝠？

# data[].attributes.body
Why do bats face challenges in finding food because of human activities?

為什麼蝙蝠因為人類的活動而在找食物時遇到困難？

# data[].attributes.body
Stay out of caves when directed.

608-1、5、20、24

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We need bats if we want healthy and diverse ecosystems filled with a variety of organisms. Many bats feast on insects, some pollinate plants, and some bats spread seeds, too. Larger animals may depend on bats for prey. Aside from all these great services, bats are the only mammal that's capable of true flight, and they're simply fascinating.

The deadly fungal disease, white-nose syndrome (WNS), poses a real danger to cave-dwelling bats. WNS has killed 99% of some bat colonies. Tree-roosting and migratory bats face significant threats from wind turbines. Habitat loss and climate change also make it difficult for bats to survive and thrive.

But we can all help protect bats and their habitats! Try some of these ideas to help conserve bats. You can help bats in your own yard and community, and you can learn how to protect bats when you visit parks, too.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Help Bats - Bats (U.S. National Park Service)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We need bats if we want healthy and diverse ecosystems filled with a variety of organisms. Many bats feast on insects, some pollinate plants, and some bats spread seeds, too. Larger animals may depend on bats for prey. Aside from all these great services, bats are the only mammal that's capable of true flight, and they're simply fascinating.

# data[].attributes.body
How can we help bats?

我們可以怎麼幫助蝙蝠？

# data[].attributes.body
How can we help bats?

我們可以怎麼幫助蝙蝠？

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There are many different ways to help bats. Either by becoming a member, donating, volunteering, raising funds at no extra cost to you, leaving a gift i…

# data[].attributes.body
Why do bats face challenges in finding food because of human activities?

為什麼蝙蝠因為人類的活動而在找食物時遇到困難？

# data[].attributes.body
Why do bats face some challenges in finding a safe home?

為什麼蝙蝠在找舒服的家時會有困難？

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Bats Choose Your Home To Roost? | Skedaddle Oakville

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Bats roost in Oakville homes for warmth and safety. Discover why your home is appealing and learn humane solutions with Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control!

# data[].attributes.body
Why do bats face some challenges in finding a safe home?

為什麼蝙蝠在找舒服的家時會有困難？

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You may be surprised to learn that bats can be found living in urban areas around the world.

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Cats that roam outdoors kill a

variety of small mammals and birds, including bats.

604-7、17､ 21

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Globally, the main threats to bats include habitat loss and degradation, climate change, overexploitation, disease, disturbance and persecution.

604-02、04、10

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Today, bats are under unprecedented threat from widespread habitat destruction.604-8,3,24

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" First and foremost, for a reason we do not see stated as often as we should in conservation arguments: simply because they are, like all other organisms, part of our astonishingly rich biosphere. Bats are part of a global ecosystem, with a part to play in its continuing evolution. Must we justify their existence only in terms of what they can do for humans? " (Altringham 2011).

Sadly, many bats are under severe threat from increasing human pressure. Habitat loss, climate change, roost destruction, disease, deforestation, bushmeat trade, guano mining, disturbance and persecution, and increasing numbers of wind farms are all causes of bats declining globally. Some bat species are classified as threatened as the black rhino (Critically Endangered) or cheetah (Vulnerable). In southern Africa there are 14 bat species that are considered by IUCN to be Data Deficient - in other words, so little is know about these species that they cannot be assessed. At least 18% of bats are considered to be threatened globally, and bats are currently being reassessed using updated information to determine their extinction risk. With increased human-induced impacts it is likely that we are going to see this figure grow.

The world is changing at an unprecedented rate - habitat destruction and climate change are considered to be the biggest threats to wildlife globally. Additionally, bats are unfortunate in being a largely misunderstood group - often persecuted and disliked wherever they occur. Despite accounting for roughly 20% of mammals species, Africa largely remains a bat-conservation void with limited research and conservation efforts that is further confounded by lack of funding and resources.

So why do bats get such bad press?
Traditional fears of bats are based on exaggerated negative portrayals of bats, such as vampires gorging on human blood and false information about bats such as them bats being blind or getting stuck in your hair. Most bats have good eyesight, and are incredibly agile using echolocation calls to navigate - so will not get tangled in your hair! Even if you were stood in a roost with bats swarming around you they would still avoid you - ask any bat researcher who has been trying to catch them! If you are out walking and a bat flies around you most likely it will be foraging on the insects attracted to your body heat, so consider them your mozzie protector!

There are no vampire bats in Africa, vampire bats are found in Central and South America (there are three species but only one feeds on mammalian blood - e.g. livestock and recently observations have been made of vampire bats feeding on sea lion blood). People also fear contracting rabies from bats, rabies is no more prevalent in bats than most other animal-eating mammals but people are far more likely to catch rabies from a domestic or wild carnivore than a bat. The only time bats in Africa will bite people is if they are trapped and being handled. If you find a bat stuck inside a building or injured outside please wear gloves if you handle the bat.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
" First and foremost, for a reason we do not see stated as often as we should in conservation arguments: simply because they are, like all other organisms, part of our astonishingly rich biosphere. Bats are part of a global ecosystem, with a part to play in its continuing evolution.

# data[].attributes.body
Why do bats face challenges in finding food because of human activities?

# data[].attributes.body
But we can all help protect bats and their habitats! Try some of these ideas to help conserve bats. You can help bats in your own yard and community, and you can learn how to protect bats when you visit parks, too.

1,5,9,26

# data[].attributes.body
Bats are fascinating creatures that play a crucial role in our ecosystem, particularly in controlling insect populations

# data[].attributes.body
Buildings give bats protection from predators, stable temperatures, and safe shelter to rest and raise their young.

604-12 22 23 27

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Geoffroy's Tailless Bat (Anoura geoffroyi), Costa Rica
© Michael & Patricia Fogden/Minden Pictures, BCI

An Unlikely Hero With Global Impact

Bats have been on Earth for more than 50 million years. With more than 1,400 species, they are the second largest order of mammals, and are widely dispersed across six continents. Globally, bats provide vital ecosystem services in the form of insect pest consumption, plant pollination, and seed dispersal, making them essential to the health of global ecosystems.

Today, bats are under unprecedented threat from widespread habitat destruction, accelerated climate change, invasive species, and other stresses. Without concerted international action, their populations will continue to fall, driving many species to extinction.

Bats are mammals that belong to the order Chiroptera (from the Greek cheir - "hand" and pteron -"wing").

Bats are Important

Pollinators

Most flowering plants cannot produce seeds and fruit without pollination - the process of moving pollen grains from the male part of the flower (the stamen) to the female part (the pistil). This process also improves the genetic diversity of cross-pollinated plants. From deserts to rainforests, nectar-feeding bats that drink the sweet nectar inside flowers pick up a dusting of pollen and move it along to other flowers as they feed.

This role as a pollinator is critical for a wide variety of plants, such as giant cacti and agave, which would not thrive without bats. Bat pollination also plays a vital role in the cultivation of a host of commercial products, including balsa wood, carob, cloves, and durian fruit.

Seed Dispersers

Vast expanses of the world's rainforest are cleared every year for logging, agriculture, ranching, and other uses. And fruit-eating bats are key players in restoring those vital forests.

Regenerating clear-cut forests is a complex natural process, one that requires seed-scattering by many animals besides bats. Many fruit-eating animals drop seeds back into the ground, but these droppings typically occur within proximity to where they live. Night-foraging fruit bats, on the other hand, often cover vast distances each night, and many of these species are quite willing to cross clearings and typically defecate in flight, scattering far more seeds than animals such as birds across cleared areas. Seeds dropped by bats can account for up to 95 percent of the first new growth.

This ability to transport seeds is highly crucial - as the conditions left by forest clearings are often hot, dry, and unwelcoming to many types of plants. The seeds dropped by bats are often from hardy pioneer plants, whose first growth serves as shelter and cover for more delicate plants.

J. Scott Altenbach

8 Amazing Bat Facts

1. Bats are the only mammal capable of true flight.

2. Tequila is produced from agave plants that in the wild rely on bats as their primary pollinators.

3. The world's smallest bat is the Bumblebee Bat measuring up to 29 - 33 mm (1.1 -3 in) in length and 2 g (0.071 oz) in mass as a full-grown adult.

4. The world's largest bat is the Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox with a wingspan up to 6 ft!

5. The oldest known bat was a male Brant's myotis who lived at least 41 years.

6. The fastest bat in the world is the Mexican Free-tailed Bat, flying in short bursts at speeds up to 100 mph!

7. Of the 1,400+ species of bats in the world, only three are vampire bats that drink blood.

8. Bracken Cave is the world's largest bat colony. Located near San Antonio, Texas, USA, this is a summer maternity colony for up to 20 million Mexican Free-tailed Bats.

Conservation Status

21

Bat species are critically endangered (face imminent risk of extinction)

83

Bat species are endangered

109

Bat species are considered vulnerable

242

Bat species are considered "Data Deficient," an indicator that more conservation attention is necessary for these species

Pygmy Fruit-eating Bat (Artibeus phaeotis), costa rica
© Michael & Patricia Fogden/Minden Pictures, BCI

Florida Bonneted Bat
Dustin Smith

A dangerous time for bats.

As bat populations continue to decline worldwide, their potential for extinction only grows. While some of the challenges they face are endemic to their order, such as their slow gestation periods and diseases like White-nose Syndrome, the primary cause of their decline is human activity including:

The ongoing destruction of natural habitats

Hunting and persecution for sport and meat

The growing use of wind-turbine energy

The proliferation of harmful myths

Bats are among the slowest-reproducing mammals on earth for their size - On average, most species only give birth to one pup per year.

Bats are threatened

Climate Change

Global climate change is a major threat to the ecological integrity of our planet. The negative forces of climate change are often most severe on species already imperiled by habitat loss and other stressors. Integral to our mission to protect global bat populations is developing science-based strategies that address threats to bats around the world to prevent extinctions and faunal collapse.

Major threats that climate change poses to global bat populations:

Mortality from increased severity and frequency of extreme weather events

Flying foxes are dying in alarming numbers in Australia from extreme heat waves

Bats on islands are threatened by severe tropical storms, especially when coupled with extensive habitat loss and persecution on islands.

Increased aridity and drought reduce survival and reproductive success of bats
Bats in arid and semi-arid landscapes have lower fitness during drought. The long-term consequences could result in range contraction of bat species and loss of bat diversity in arid and semi-arid regions of the world.

Changes in timing of migration and potential for phenology mismatch between bats and critical food resources during critical life stages
Species of insectivorous and pollinating bats that undergo long-distance migrations and depend on seasonal timing of food resources to fuel migrations could be negatively impacted by shifts in phenology of available resources (e.g. flowering plants or seasonal insect abundance).

Climate change is a global problem necessitating a global solution, but local interventions and targeted actions play a critical role in protecting species from its adverse effects. Effective conservation strategies must address current and future impacts from climate change, including creating resiliency and mitigating the threats of extreme weather events, increased drought, and shifts in phenology and habitat suitability. Our work to protect bats includes strategies that promote climate adaptation, mitigation, and identifies key research needs. Specifically, Bat Conservation International takes action by:

Promoting Climate Adaptation for Bats

Securing resilient habitats for imperiled bats threatened by climate change

We protect critical habitat refugia for island endemic bats vulnerable to increased severity and frequency of tropical storms (e.g. Fiji, Jamaica)

We provide safe roosting structures for endangered species in hurricane-prone areas (e.g. Florida bonneted bat)

We protect subterranean roosts to provide habitat resiliency for bat communities

Protecting and restoring habitat networks for migratory species experiencing shifting phenology

Our Bracken Cave preserve protects the largest known colony of Mexican free-tailed bats during the summer maternity season and now also protects a growing population of bats overwintering in Texas

We restore agave plants in desert and montane habitats across the migratory range of nectar-feeding bats in Mexico and the US-Mexico borderlands to provide climate resilient corridors for migratory pollinating bats

Supporting Climate Mitigation Solutions
We invest in researching solutions that reduce bat fatalities at wind energy facilities; supporting renewable energy development that is sustainable and does not negatively impact biodiversity while producing carbon-free energy

Leading Research to Inform Conservation Priorities in a Changing Climate

Persecution

In many parts of the world, bats are victims of casual killing, the result of harmful myths and misplaced fears. In Latin America, whole colonies of beneficial bats are routinely slaughtered, the victims of a mistaken belief that all bats are vampires. (In reality, only three of the more than 1,400 bat species feed on blood, and all are in Latin America.)

In regions such as Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands, large fruit-eating bats are hunted, both for local consumption and commercially for markets and restaurants. Some bats are also used in traditional folk medicines.

Wind Energy

The dramatic growth of wind energy throughout much of the world has also taken a considerable toll on bats, with scientists estimating that hundreds of thousands are killed each year in the United States alone. This mortality is due to both collisions with the spinning blades of wind turbines and rapid pressure change at turbines that can rupture blood vessels.

Between 2000 and 2011, an estimated 650,000 to 1.3 million bats died from collisions with wind turbines in the United States and Canada (Arnett and Baerwald 2013). Additionally, as many as 400,000 estimated fatalities may have occurred in 2012. Migratory bats, such as hoary bats and silver-haired bats, make up a large part of these casualties.

With wind-generated energy expected to expand from the current 82,000 MW to 224,000 MW by 2030 (U.S.DOE Wind Vision 2015), the impact on bat populations from this build-out could be devastating unless solutions to minimize fatalities are developed and implemented.

Our collaboration with the Bats and Wind Energy Cooperative (BWEC) has led to meaningful research suggesting practical solutions to reduce bat mortality. Other research has focused on trying to understand what makes bats more susceptible to wind turbine collisions, be it some attraction to turbines themselves, or that they somehow affect geographic features bats use during migration.

Bat Facts

Congress Avenue Bridge, Texas, USA
© Amanda Stronza, BCI

Bats, humans, and health.

Simply left alone, bats are harmless and highly beneficial. They are fascinating creatures, vital to the balance of nature around the world. Like most wild animals, bats prefer to avoid contact with humans. But in situations where bats and humans come into close proximity, it is important to understand how to prevent negative outcomes for humans and bats.

Here are several scenarios that might bring bats and humans together:

Bats sometimes accidentally fly into a home or business through open doors or windows

Bats might take advantage of an existing small opening into an attic, wall space, or chimney, and roost in structures where humans live or work

Sick, injured, or even dead bats sometimes fall to the ground where humans live

In each of these situations, we discourage the general public from handling bats. See below for information about possible health risks that may apply.

Bats and Human Health

Rabies

Rabies is a preventable viral infection of the central nervous system in mammals. Bats, like most mammals, can contract the rabies virus, but the vast majority never do. When bats do get rabies, they eventually die from the disease and do not "carry" the virus indefinitely without themselves getting sick.

The virus is typically transmitted by the bite of an infected animal - anyone bitten by a bat (or any other wild or unknown domestic animal) should seek immediate medical attention. People can, in rare instances, contract rabies if infectious material, such as saliva from a rabid animal, gets into their eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about Rabies here

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease caused by a fungus that grows in soil enriched by animal droppings, including those from bats. Ninety percent of all reported cases in humans come from the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and adjacent areas where warm, humid conditions favor fungal growth.

The disease is rare or nonexistent in most of Canada and in the far northern and western United States. The majority of cases are asymptomatic or involve flu-like symptoms, though some individuals become seriously ill, especially if exposed to large quantities of spore-laden dust.

To be safe, avoid breathing dust in areas where there are animal droppings; if you must clean an area of bat or bird droppings, wear a respirator that can guard against particles as small as two microns.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about Histoplasmosis here

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Bats 101 - Bat Conservation International

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Bats have been on Earth for more than 50 million years. With more than 1,400 species, they are the second largest order of mammals, and are widely dispersed across six continents.

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Explore the reasons bats are drawn to specific homes and structures.

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We need bats if we want healthy and diverse ecosystems filled with a variety of organisms. Many bats feast on insects, some pollinate plants, and some bats spread seeds, too. Larger animals may depend on bats for prey. Aside from all these great services, bats are the only mammal that's capable of true flight, and they're simply fascinating.

The deadly fungal disease, white-nose syndrome (WNS), poses a real danger to cave-dwelling bats. WNS has killed 99% of some bat colonies. Tree-roosting and migratory bats face significant threats from wind turbines. Habitat loss and climate change also make it difficult for bats to survive and thrive.

But we can all help protect bats and their habitats! Try some of these ideas to help conserve bats. You can help bats in your own yard and community, and you can learn how to protect bats when you visit parks, too.

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Help Bats - Bats (U.S. National Park Service)

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We need bats if we want healthy and diverse ecosystems filled with a variety of organisms. Many bats feast on insects, some pollinate plants, and some bats spread seeds, too. Larger animals may depend on bats for prey. Aside from all these great services, bats are the only mammal that's capable of true flight, and they're simply fascinating.

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Given their great diversity and wide-ranging distributions, bats provide us with more services that benefit our daily lives than any other animal group we can think of.

601 - 1,2,3,4

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Spanish Association for the Conservation and Research of Bats

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Why are bats important?

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How can we help bats?

我們可以怎麼幫助蝙蝠？

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How can we help bats?

我們可以怎麼幫助蝙蝠？

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Why do bats face challenges in finding food because of human activities?

為什麼蝙蝠因為人類的活動而在找食物時遇到困難？

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Why do bats face challenges in finding a comfortable home?

為什麼蝙蝠在找舒服的家時會有困難？

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Why do bats face challenges in finding a comfortable home?

為什麼蝙蝠在找舒服的家時會有困難？

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How can we help bats ?

我們可以怎麼幫助蝙蝠？

604-13、18、20

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We need bats if we want healthy and diverse ecosystems filled with a variety of organisms. Many bats feast on insects, some pollinate plants, and some bats spread seeds, too. Larger animals may depend on bats for prey. Aside from all these great services, bats are the only mammal that's capable of true flight, and they're simply fascinating.

The deadly fungal disease, white-nose syndrome (WNS), poses a real danger to cave-dwelling bats. WNS has killed 99% of some bat colonies. Tree-roosting and migratory bats face significant threats from wind turbines. Habitat loss and climate change also make it difficult for bats to survive and thrive.

But we can all help protect bats and their habitats! Try some of these ideas to help conserve bats. You can help bats in your own yard and community, and you can learn how to protect bats when you visit parks, too.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Help Bats - Bats (U.S. National Park Service)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We need bats if we want healthy and diverse ecosystems filled with a variety of organisms. Many bats feast on insects, some pollinate plants, and some bats spread seeds, too. Larger animals may depend on bats for prey. Aside from all these great services, bats are the only mammal that's capable of true flight, and they're simply fascinating.