In recognition of International Bat Week, designed to raise awareness about the need for bat conservation and concurrent with Halloween, I write to convince you why these extraordinary animals are deserving of our respect, admiration, and protection. Despite all the false beliefs about “creepy” bats, these amazing flying machines are truly intelligent, sensitive creatures that perform invaluable ecosystem and economic services as pollinators, seed dispersers, and insect predators.
Remarkably, bats’ extraordinary flying skills exceed the sophistication and capabilities of the most advanced military fighter jets. Bats use of echolocation is better than the most advanced human derived sonar systems. The U.S. military has been conducting many studies of bats over the years to try and figure out how they can emulate bats’ flight skills. More than 500 years ago, Leonardo da Vinci studied bats and sketched their wings to understand how these creatures managed to fly as he tried to invent a way for humans to fly.
One of my favorite bats is the Honduran white bat. We were fortunate to see a small colony of this furry tent-making bat in Costa Rica under the roost site it makes under a palm leaf. A single male has a harem of females. They exist almost exclusively on one fig species. This bat weighs 1/20th of an ounce with a wingspan of only 4 inches. They can fly at 20 mph and live 20 years.
Honduran white bats in their “tent” they make by cutting the center of a palm leaf and then roosting under it during the day. (Carol Swan)
Let’s dispel negative stereotypical myths perpetuated about bats, making them one of the most misunderstood and maligned animals in the world.
Now, let’s examine the critical importance of bats.
PEST CONTROL. About 70% of bats are insectivorous, preying on mosquitoes and agricultural pests. All U.S. and Canadian bats are insectivorous except three species of nectar-feeding pollinator bats living along the Texas-Arizona border.
Bats save U.S. farmers $23 billion annually in agricultural losses, including in corn and cotton. Millions of free-tailed bats from Bracken Cave in Texas eat more than 100 tons of insects nightly, preventing billions of insect pests from damaging crops or biting humans. In Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, strategically placed bat houses attract just five pipistrelle bats per acre, eliminating pesticide spraying in rice paddies. Bat pest control in Indonesia saves cocoa growers approximately $780 million annually. Coffee also benefits from bats
One bat can catch 1,000 mosquitoes in a single hour, helping reduce the spread of diseases and minimizing the need for spraying dangerous pesticides.
POLLINATION. Bats that eat nectar and fruit are just as important in pollinating plants, including crops and flowers, as birds, butterflies and bees. In the tropics, they are considered critical pollinators of 1,000 plant species. More than 300 species of fruit depend on bats for pollination or seed dispersal, including 70% of all tropical fruits eaten by humans. Bats pollinate bananas, mangoes, peaches, avocado, cashews, almonds, dates, vanilla, cacao, and sugar.
Mexico’s entire tequila industry relies on a single species of agave plant whose flowers are pollinated by bats. Without bats, we might not have any tequila. The next time you have a Margarita, be sure to toast the pollinating bats that helped make it possible.
SEED DISPERSAL. There are 250 species of fruit bats pollinating flowers nightly or eating fruit and dispersing the seeds of well over 500 species of tropical trees and shrubs. Bats are primary regenerators of forest clearings, sometimes dropping more than 95% of first “pioneer plant” seeds required to begin regrowth. Bats disperse seeds for mangoes, peaches, almonds, and cashews. One species was found to disperse 60,000 small seeds in one night!
Gerald Winegrad witnessed 10,000 gray-headed flying foxes resting in trees in Queensland, Australia. These large endemic fruit bats (a mom and pup above) feast on pollen, nectar and fruit and essential pollinators and seed dispersers. (Australian Museum)
FERTILIZER. Bat guano provides essential energy for countless cave microorganisms, many of potentially great value for improving detergents, medicines, and waste detoxification. Bats from one cave in Thailand provide annual fertilizer sales of $132,000, rice crop protection valued at $300,000, and aid businesses by attracting thousands of tourists.
SAFEGUARDING HUMAN HEALTH. Bats have an extraordinary record of living safely with humans, many times better than our own beloved cats and dogs. Bats safeguard our health by reducing dependence on dangerous pesticides and by consuming disease carrying pests, including mosquitoes. For anyone who simply leaves bats alone, the odds of harm are extremely remote.
Research on bats has contributed greatly to the advancement of medical technology and to improved navigational aids for the blind. The 1.5 million bats living under an Austin, Texas, bridge have proven to be safe and invaluable neighbors, consuming tons of insect pests, attracting millions of tourist dollars, and harming no one.
Unfortunately, bats are facing numerous threats to their existence with 80% of the world’s bat species in need of conservation or research attention. There will be more on these threats and what can be done in my next column.
Learning the truth about bats, people can let go of their fears and begin to appreciate the vital role bats play in nature and our lives. After all, bats are an integral part of The Greatest Show on Earth.
Gerald Winegrad represented the greater Annapolis area in the General Assembly for 16 years. Contact him at gwwabc@comcast.net.
Copyright © 2022, Capital Gazette
Copyright © 2022, Capital Gazette