October sparks the beginning of Fall and the spooky season! This is a time for celebration, chilly mornings, and early sunsets. One animal in particular has a special importance around this time: bats! However, Florida’s bats are in danger, and you can help them recover this Fall.  

Bats of Florida 

Florida is home to thirteen species of bats, of which eleven are of greatest conservation need for Florida, two of which are federally endangered, and eight of which are closely connected with urban environments. Below is a list of the bats, with a special mention for Florida’s endemic species: 

Florida Bonneted BatFlorida Bonneted Bat 

Florida has one endemic bat, and it is critically endangered. An endemic species tends to be restricted to a small range, and that is no exception for this South Florida resident. Although the Florida Bonneted Bat (or Florida Mastiff Bat) has a restricted range, it makes up for that with its size. This is the largest bat species in Florida at about 4 inches long with a wingspan of around 20 inches. Although they are in decline, there are efforts to conserve their populations 

Bat Conservation 

Bats play a pivotal role in ecosystems across the world, but here in Florida they are important insectivores. In fact, a single bat can feed on hundreds of mosquitoes and other insects each night, highlighting their amazing feat in agricultural pest control and mosquito repellant. With bats playing such an important role in our ecosystem, we need to help with their conservation. Here are some ways you can help:  

  • Bat Houses are an amazing addition to your yard, if constructed properly. White-nose syndromeThey should be built in a well-lit area that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day. Check out the linked article for more information. 
  • White-nose Syndrome is a fatal fungal infection that threatens bats in the US. Although this disease has not reached Florida, it is rapidly spreading. Knowing how to identify it and how to stop the spread is crucial to bat conservation!

Bat Week 

Bat week occurs annually during the last week of October (24-31) and is a great chance to learn more about Florida’s bats.  

There are many ways to get involved. For example: 

  • On Saturday, October 26 from 10AM to 5PM the Florida Bat Festival will be held at the Lubee Bat Conservancy. This family-friendly festival will include a kids’ zone, food trucks, live music, and a beer garden.  
  • Become a part of the North American Bat Tracker (NOAH) project. Species ranges are difficult to assess when only a handful of people are helping, but through citizen science projects, we can better understand where different species are found. 
  • Join the Florida Bat Force. Anyone willing to partake in bat conservation is welcome to join!

The Significance of Bats in Halloween: Vampire or Bat? 

Bats often get a bad reputation, and that stems from their association with Halloween. They are depicted as blood thirsty, capable of turning people into vampires, or that they will get tangled in your hair while they are flying. Both theories are incorrect, especially for species in the United States (none of which drink blood). Superstitions like these have caused a decline in bat populations, and correcting these inherent biases has been a critical component in the success of bat conservation. 

 

Information from Florida Bat Conservancy, Florida FWC, Bat Week, Lubee Bat Conservancy, and NWF. Images from FWC and Bat Week.