Why care about bats?

It’s no secret that bats are widely misunderstood. While they may not look the part, bats are one of humanity’s most humble allies.

If WNS continues to devastate bat colonies, our food systems may be in trouble. Efficient pest eaters, bats could save the United States up to $3.7 billion in agricultural costs. They offer these services for free. And since bats are extremely slow to reproduce–many only raising 1 to 2 pups every year–it would take a long time for reduced bat populations to recover.

The tricolored bat, for example, a Minnesota species susceptible to WNS, can catch an insect every two seconds, up to half their body weight an hour. Imagine harnessing that power to swat mosquitoes!

Bats may reduce the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses like Zika, dengue, and malaria. They also play a role in pollination and seed dispersal to support our ecosystems.

Pictured: Tricolored bat in Minnesota cave. Photo courtesy of Christine Salomon.