Going Batty Makes Sense

If you care about our planet’s environment and your wallet, the sharp decrease in the worldwide bat population should be sounding warning bells.

Bats are mammals and their anatomy is closely related to human anatomy.

New instruments now enable scientists to study bats in the wild, as well as in captivity. They are able to keep track of their movements, feeding habits, reproductive patterns, and life spans.

Researchers have found more ways to locate these nocturnal creatures. As a result, we have learned much about bats and their vital contributions to the balance of nature and, yes, our economy.

In recent years, a devastating disease known as white-nose syndrome has claimed more than a million bats in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Even so, mankind remains the biggest threat to these shy creatures which, unfortunately, have been maligned by popular fictional accounts involving vampire bats.

Bat Types Galore

There are more than 925 different kinds of bats, and they are found all over the world except at the North and South poles.

Bats can survive in cold climates, damp climates, and dry climates, although the largest bat populations are found in temperate regions.

They live on every continent except the Antarctica, and on oceanic islands.

Since bats are mainly tropical animals, species are more prevalent around the equator. They are more diverse in South and Central America.

In those regions there are about twice as many species compared with Africa, Asia, and Australia, since they share similar climates.

About 25 percent of bats live in the tropics and make up about 50 percent of the mammalian species. In fact, on some islands they are the only mammalian species.

Worldwide, bats have the second highest number of species, after rodents. The order of animals includes mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits.

Dropping Numbers

Bat populations have declined dramatically since the 1950s. Many species of bats are endangered or threatened. More than a dozen species may already be extinct.

Around 40 to 50 percent of bats in the United States are considered endangered, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Six of the 45 species in the continental United States are on the federal list of endangered species. Three more species in the state of Hawaii and the continental United States also are endangered. Twenty other species are considered at risk.

Indiana bats (left habitat locator map) are one example of endangered species. Actually these bats live in several states. They were among the first bats to be placed on the Fish and Wildlife list of endangered species.

At one time, there were millions of these bats in North America. It is estimated that the population dropped to 800,000 in 1973. By 1998, the estimated population dropped to some 350,000.

The Biggest Threat

It’s probably no surprise that the main threat to bats is the growing human population. This increases environmental pollution as well as deforestation.

Man is using more trees than ever for building materials, industrial, and urban development.

Other human activities, such as pest control, cave exploration, and mining activities result in bat deaths every year.

Even wind turbines have proven fatal to many bats, though the reason for the attraction is uncertain.

Some people regard bats as carriers of disease, and they deliberately kill off large groups of bats. They can even be killed by predators when their habitats are destroyed.

Saving These Creatures

Most North American bat species feed on night-flying insect pests that impact forests, agriculture, and human health.

Globally, bats provide countless millions of dollars of ecosystem services, including insect/pest management, pollination, seed dispersal, and growing ecotourism appeal

Fearing agriculture and forestry impacts, governments, organizations, and individuals are working hard to save more bats from extinction.

Conservationists are finding ways to protect bats and their habitats.

The media also is actively engaged describing bats in more positive ways. Articles, books, and TV programs are appearing regularly.

Photographers also are trying to capture images in a more gentle and flattering fashion.

Through protective laws, public education, and rescue programs, environmentalists are making a difference. But many bat species are critically endangered.

As people try to save bats, it serves as a stark reminder of how fragile life is on this planet we all share.

There is an increased need to strike a balance between man and bat. Efforts toward our mutual survival begin with tolerance and appreciation of other forms of life.

TechMan

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