Plain Batty: Topsy-Turvy Bat Facts
It’s no secret that bats get a bad rap—they’re creatures of the night, after all. But did you know that bats play a huge part in our ecosystem? Not only are they actually pretty cute, but they pollinate our favorite fruits, eat annoying insects, and more. In fact, the last week in October is actually Bat Week! Keep reading for some interesting facts about bats.
#1: Without Bats, We Wouldn’t Have Some of Our Favorite Foods!
Over 300 species of fruit rely on bats to pollinate them! That’s right—without bats, we wouldn’t have bananas, avocados, or mangoes. Bats also help spread the seeds for figs, nuts, and cacao. Cacao is the main ingredient in chocolate, which means we’d have to say goodbye to that sweet treat without bats! Can you imagine—a world without chocolate?!
#2: Bats Get Rid of Pesky Pests
Much like spiders, bats are unsung pest control heroes! Bats can eat their body weight in insects. That means every night they’re getting rid of thousands of annoying bugs. We get a lot of bugs during the summer here, but it would be much worse without the help of bats!
#3: Bats Can Live a Long Time
Did you know that the oldest living bat is 41 years old?! While most bats only live up to 20 years in the wild, there are several species that are known to live to over 30.
#4: Bats Inspire Medical Advancements
Contrary to popular belief, bats aren’t actually blind. But their use of echolocation has actually helped us develop things to help people who are blind navigate better. There are also about 80 kinds of medicine that come from plants that rely on bats to survive.
#5: A Lot of Bat Species Are Endangered
At least 13 U.S. bat species are endangered. Disease and loss of habitat are the main offenders keeping them on the endangered species list, but there are lots of people and programs helping! In fact, thanks to an international conservation partnership between the southwestern United States and Mexico, the lesser long-nosed bat is close to being taken off the list!
We Hope You Enjoyed These Great Bat Facts!
It’s easy to assume that something nocturnal with fangs is scary—but bats are great! They help us out a lot more than we give them credit for. Next time you see a bat swooping between the trees, know that they’re doing way more good than harm.
Are the bats in your neighborhood not enough pest control? Contact Vulcan Termite & Pest Control Inc. to craft the perfect pest control plan for you!