Bats aren’t just for Halloween - they work hard to take care of plants and ecosystems every day of the year! Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly and their wings are more similar to our hands than they are to the wings of a bird. While we typically think of bats living in caves, they can also roost in holes in trees, abandoned structures, under bridges and even in rock crevices. These nocturnal animals are incredibly important because they can help with insect control, pollination and spreading seeds.
Fun Facts
- Bats are the second largest group of mammals in the world!
- Bats range in size from 1in (the Bumblebee Bat ) up to 20 in (The Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox)
- A Big Brown Bat can eat more than 3,000 mosquitos in just one night!
- Bats hang upside down so that they can easily drop into flight!
Bats Across Ecosystems
Indiana Bat
Photo By: Ryan Hagerty/USFWS
Forest – Indiana Bat
The Indiana bat is a very small bat that lives in forests. In winter, many bats sleep together in caves to stay warm. In summer, mother bats raise their babies under tree bark. These bats eat lots of bugs like flies, moths, and beetles. This helps keep the forest healthy. Indiana bats need our help because they are endangered.
Little Brown Bat
Photo: Jason Corbett
River – Little Brown Bat
The little brown bat likes to live near water like rivers, ponds, and lakes. It flies at night and eats insects like mosquitoes. This helps keep bug numbers low. These bats sometimes live near people in places like attics or bat boxes. Baby bats can learn to fly when they are only about one month old!
Mexican Free-Tailed Bat
Photo: Michael Durham
Bat Superpowers
- Bats use echolocation to help them fly and feed at night
- The fastest bat, the Mexican Free-tailed Bat, can fly up to 100 mph!
- Bats can hang upside down without using any muscle energy - their toes automatically lock into place!
Create Bat Art
Do you want to create art that helps other people care about bats? You can create a bat wand with materials found right in your home! Watch the video to learn what to do!
Ready to bring a bat to life with color? Ask an adult to help you print the page so you can color it at home or in the classroom!
Bats Scavenger Hunt
We don't always get to see bats, but we can search the places they live to find places they may find shelter, food, or water. Download this scavenger hunt to explore the world of bats right in your backyard!
