INTERNATIONAL BAT NIGHT
International Bat Night takes place each year during last full weekend of August to encourage us to learn more about this mostly nocturnal creature. This international day draws attention to bats across the globe to educate the public on the needs and benefits bats have in nature.
#InternationalBatNight
Despite what movies and novels might say, bats play an important part in keeping balance in nature. They consume insects that spread disease and damage crops. In the United States, little brown bats common in Kansas, use their echolocation to eat over 1,000 mosquitoes in a single hour. Bats help distribute plants by passing seeds through their feces. The spread of Guano seeds through bats is the main factor for tropical rainforest reforestation.
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Other Bat Benefits
Long associated with all things dark and creepy, bats are in fact a friend of man. International Bat Night sets out to dispel the myths and point out that bats are mostly harmless to people. Only three of the thousand-plus species are actually bloodsuckers. Vampire bats are found in the tropics of Mexico, Central and South America, generally consume the blood of sleeping cattle or horses. With sharp teeth, a quick nip usually goes unnoticed by the sleeping animals. Yet even vampire bats have proved to be a benefit. Doctors have studied the anticoagulant qualities of their bites and have used that knowledge in developing medication for heart disease and stroke patients. The greatest threat to people is in the possibility of transmitting rabies.
Blind as Bat?
The expression “blind as a bat” comes from the assumption that a bat's sense of sight isn’t very good. However, bats have much better vision than humans do and see incredibly well both day and night. The expression “blind as a bat” comes from this assumption. Bats emit a high pitch sound that resonates and bounces off of objects around them, this echolocation (sort of like sonar) helps bats pinpoint the exact location of insects and grab their dinner on the go.
HOW TO OBSERVE #InternationalBatDay
With over 1,200 species of bats, there is plenty to celebrate. Check with your local zoo or the biology department at your area college or university to find out if Bat Night is being observed in your community. We hope you will join us in going to “bat” for them!
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Use #InternationalBatDay on social social media to share your support for bats. In fact, us the hashtag to educate people on bats!
HISTORY
In our research, we were unable to determine the origin of International Bat Night.
