Bat Appreciation Month

From eponymous superheroes to urban legends, bats have always been associated with darkness and mystery. But since October is Bat Appreciation Month, let’s set the record straight. Admittedly, October being the chosen month sort of foreshadows their often unfortunate reputation. But it’s undeniably the perfect time (and opportunity) to learn more about these winged mammals. 

Why? Because many species of these so-called “creatures of the night” are endangered today. The onus is on us to recognize the contribution of these unsung heroes. After all, they are a cog essential in maintaining the greater ecological balance machinery.

More species will continue to suffer if we keep fearing them. And, their decline can have a debilitating impact, far beyond our collective imagination. 

Set prejudices aside, learn more about the only mammals that can fly, and understand why bat conservation matters. 

The Interesting Truth About Bats 

Right off the bat (pun intended), let’s debunk the biggest myth about bats. 

So you always thought bats were birds? Here’s a shocker – they are not!

In fact, they are winged mammals. Believed to have originated from tree-dwelling mammals that fed on insects. They have been around since the Eocene Epoch. That’s approximately 50-52 million years. 

Since then, bats have thrived. They have diversified into more than 1,400 species! 

You can find 150+ species in the Mesoamerican region alone. Frugivorous, nectivorous, insectivorous — many different kinds of bat species call Mesoamerica their home. 

Each of these species is important. For the local ecosystems and the greater ecological balance. 

Why? 

Because bats help with: 

Pest Control 

Some bat species are omnivorous — their regular diet comprises insects, such as pests.  One bat can consume up to 50% of its body weight in insects. Pregnant or lactating bats can consume their entire body weight. 

As nature’s natural pest control, bats can save up to $1 billion in crop damages and pesticide costs for corn farmers in the US. 

Without them, invasive pests can take over, causing millions of dollars worth of damage in the agricultural industry.

Pollination 

It’s not just the bees that help in pollination, you know. Bats do too.

Most flowering plants can’t bear fruit by themselves. They need pollinators.

Frugivorous bats, feeding on nectar, help with pollination and cross-pollination. Their feeding habits are crucial to the very existence of some plants, like agave. 

Fun fact: Tequila that’s produced from agave owes its existence to bats. No bats, no agave, and therefore, no tequila shots. Sounds wild? It’s true. 

Balsa wood, carob, cloves, and durian are some of the other plants that benefit from bats. 

Seed Dispersal 

Mesoamerica’s vanishing green cover can be almost entirely blamed on illegal ranching. 

Indiscriminate expansion of agricultural patches, construction of roads, and human encroachment are also equally responsible for the depletion of green cover. 

While regenerating destroyed forest land is a complex process, bats, along with other animals, act as nature’s seed dispersers. Their eating and living habits play a key role in the restoration of destroyed forest cover. 

Bats are the knights of the night.

The Dark Side of It 

Bats happen to be one of the slowest reproducing mammals. Some species give birth to only one pup per female per year. They cannot easily replace their population by reproducing. Pair that with habitat destruction, indiscriminate hunting, and the emergence of predatory species, and you’ve a formula for disaster. 

They are in imminent danger for many reasons. 

Invasive Species 

Cats and bats are like chalk and cheese. They just don’t mix! 

Free-roaming cats are also one of the biggest threats to local bat populations.

Cats are invasive species. From birds to mammals, they are single-handedly responsible for decimating entire species. Bats, too, have been victims. 

Killings 

As one of the most misunderstood creatures, bats are often vilified in many cultures. The result? They are killed without a second thought. Then there’s misinformation, fear-mongering, superstitions, the list goes on and on. These often lead to rampant killings in semi-urban areas where bats may still exist. 

Wind Turbines 

Another unlikely villain in bat extinction is a wind turbine. But if you think collision with wind turbines is the only reason that causes their death, you’d be mistaken. 

Unsuspecting bat species can mistake gigantic wind turbines for forests. Wind turbines, especially utility-scale facilities, are the unlikely villains behind the indirect displacement of bats. That interferes with their habitat, mating patterns, and eating habits, ultimately leading to a decline in their population in habitats

Communicable Diseases

Then there’s the threat of White Nose Syndrome. A disease that causes fungal growth on the muzzles and wings of bats, it has sometimes been singlehandedly responsible for making entire species go extinct. 

Here’s a reality check to put things into the urgency perspective: 

1. 113 species of bats are considered vulnerable
2. 85 are endangered
3. 23 are critically endangered

To make matters worse, there’s not enough data available on more than 200 bat species. So, the numbers have every possibility of cutting an even poorer figure. 

Bat Appreciation Month 2025 should therefore be the ideal launchpad for spreading awareness and doing your bit towards conservation.

How the Local Bat Population Can Be Saved

Awareness-driven efforts can prove to be immensely helpful in conserving the local bat population. Besides debunking myths, action is also important in helping bolster large-scale conservation efforts. 

Simple acts, like the ones listed below, can make a world of difference: 

1. Planting natives helps create temporary habitats. Ecological landscaping also adds to the aesthetic appeal of the house.
2. Create a roosting space in the garden or on the roof. Mammals require nesting spaces when they’re about to give birth. Even a makeshift one made with a box helps bats.
3. Don’t rake the autumn leaves from the driveway or porch. Or, create piles in corners to allow bats to take shelter during the colder months.
4. Don’t use chemical-laden pesticides or fertilizers. Let the local bats do natural pest control.
5. Turn off lights in outdoor spaces when they are not needed. Saves electricity and provides a safe space for bats to rest.

Towards A Kinder, Better Tomorrow

At Paso Pacifico, we are committed to conserving the endangered indigenous species of the Pacific Slope in Mesoamerica. We closely collaborate with local communities, landowners, and partner organizations to drive our conservation efforts. 

Our unique approach is inclusive. It is built on a sense of shared responsibility and camaraderie. 

While this is our chosen path, it is also a gigantic effort. 

We cannot do this without you and need your help to continue doing the work that we have been doing since the early 2000s. Every donation helps us get closer to restoring the ecological balance in sensitive areas. 

We believe in the cause of peaceful coexistence, which has suffered many blows due to various reasons. 

By helping us, you help countless wildlife from eventual extinction. The donations are secure and tax-deductible. You also get to an intimate understanding of your local species, connecting with nature in a meaningful manner. 

Click here to donate.