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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
Bats are often keystone species within their environments, helping to pollinate, disperse seeds, and keeping pest species such as mosquitoes under control.
These important little mammals are under threat from a variety of issues including habitat loss, light pollution, noise pollution, and illness.
Types of Bat & Their Benefits
Types of Bat & Their Benefits
"The two suborders differ in sensory and feeding characteristics. Megachiroptera are fruit- and nectar-feeding bats with a binocular visual pathway and rely on olfaction and vision to find food. Species of Microchiroptera consume a broad range of food including insects, fruit, nectar, small vertebrates, and blood." - ScienceDirect
Megachiroptera or Megabats
Megachiroptera or Megabats
Also known as fruit bats or flying foxes. These generally feed on fruit and nectar, making them important for plant reproduction in two ways: pollination and seed dispersal. These bats have good vision and a keep sense of smell.
Microchiroptera or Microbats
Microchiroptera or Microbats
These use echolocation to help them find prey including insects, fruit, nectar, small vertebrates. Some species even feed on blood, which is how we got myths about vampires and bats.
Some of these species include:
Threats to Bats
Threats to Bats
Light Pollution
Light Pollution
Click the Darkness button to learn more about the importants of darkness for our wild neighbors.
Click the Light Pollution button to learn more about Light Pollution and what we can do about it.
Habitat Loss
Habitat Loss
Deforestation
Deforestation
Click the Forests/Deforestation button to learn about the worst drivers of deforestation, as well as practical alternatives.
Wildflowers
Wildflowers
These are disappearing, but super important for pollinating bat species as well as those who eat insects, since the insects rely on native plants too.
Invasive Species
Invasive Species
"Although appreciable bat population reductions owing to invasive species are often unproven, invasions are likely to exacerbate effects of other vulnerabilities. Multiple invaders and synergistic interactions may ultimately lead to species losses." - Mammal Review: The Threat of Invasive Species to Bats (PDF)
Cats
Cats
"Domestic cats are the most highly cited predators of bats, possibly because cats often present kills to their owners (Daniel & Williams 1984)." - Mammal Review: The Threat of Invasive Species to Bats (PDF)
Bat Hunting & Poaching
Bat Hunting & Poaching
"Around the world, bats are hunted, traded, and killed. They are hunted for food, medicine, and as sport; are traded as souvenirs; and are persecuted. In order to understand this exploitation and how it impacts the persistence of bat populations globally, we at GBatNet are calling upon the experiences of our global community to report observations of bat exploitation in any setting. This observation can be of any bat species, in any location, in any form. Help us monitor this threats to bats across time and space and further our mission to protect bats and bat diversity in our changing world." - Bat Hunting and Exploitation Observation Data Portal
The Energy Sector
The Energy Sector
Wind Turbines
Wind Turbines
"Data suggests that millions of bats die each year at wind energy facilities
Bat species that make long distance seasonal migrations are the most vulnerable to fatalities
High fatality rates at wind energy facilities have raised concerns about rapid and severe population declines of the Hoary Bat in North America"
"Most bat fatalities are caused by bats colliding with rotating blades of wind turbines. Fatalities are highest during autumn migration and on nights with low wind speeds. Some bats may be attracted to wind turbines, increasing risk of impacts to bat populations." - Bat Conservation International: Research and Scalable Solutions: Wind Energy
"BCI has been a pioneer in using thermal imaging to learn how bats interact with wind turbines. In this video, thermal imaging reveals how a bat explores and then is struck by rotating blades of a wind turbine. The bat is the small white object that is first seen moving behind the turbine in the lower right of the screen. The bat maneuvers around the rotating blades before being struck. As it falls, it is hit by another blade. Bats dying from collisions like these are a growing threat to populations with expanding wind energy development. Our work to understand and monitor flight behavior of bats at turbines is helping develop bat friendly wind power." - Bat Conservation International: Research and Scalable Solutions: Wind Energy
Solutions
Solutions
Light Pollution
Light Pollution
Dark Sky Initiatives
Dark Sky Initiatives
Reduce & Reverse Habitat Loss
Reduce & Reverse Habitat Loss
Agriculture, especially livestock production uses more land than any other human activity, and drives more deforestation than any other sector. Changing how we farm and eat has the potential to not only prevent deforestation and habitat loss, but even to help reverse these trends.
Consumer Actions
Consumer Actions
A meat-heavy diet drives more habitat loss than other human activities, so choosing vegan alternatives helps protect more wilderness than most other actions.
Agave habitats have been impacted by livestock grazing, pushing nectar-feeding species of Mexico and nearby countries to decline as agave plant populations disappear.
Avoid or reduce products that drive deforestation.
Vegan Agriculture
Vegan Agriculture
Gardener Actions
Gardener Actions
If you own a bit of land or work as a gardener, then there are several areas of action you can focus on.
Wildlife & Pollinator Gardens
Wildlife & Pollinator Gardens
Creating a garden that is focused on supporting wildlife will generally have overlapping qualities that support multiple species. Even a very small patch can include elements including a water source, flowers for pollinators, as well as plants or other features that provide cover from predators or even nesting materials.
If your local bat species are pollinators, then a pollinator garden will provide a direct source of food for the bats, and if they are carnivorous bats, then the flowers in the garden will support insects that the bats can feed on.
Replace Non-Natives with Natives
Replace Non-Natives with Natives
No matter what type of garden you have, it's best to focus on including native plants, and limiting or even actively reducing the percentage of non-native or invasive plants.
Provide Water Options
Provide Water Options
Keep Cats Indoors
Keep Cats Indoors
Cats have already driven countless species to extinction, so keeping them indoors or on leashes when outside are highly recommended methods to prevent further killing of our wildlife.
Combat Bat Hunting & Poaching
Combat Bat Hunting & Poaching
This can be done via educational outreach as well as stricter wildlife protection laws.
Tools & Apps
Tools & Apps
Europe
Europe
UK
UK
Mammal Mapper "is a free app where you can record signs and sightings of mammals in the UK. Mammals can be recorded along a route whilst you’re walking, running, cycling or even a passenger in a car, or as one-off sightings, for example a hedgehog in your garden."
Resources & Guides
Resources & Guides
Bat Conservation & Management: Learning Center includes topics such as Survey Tools, Gallery: Survey Tool How-to Videos, and Bat Exclusion Control.
Found a Bat
Found a Bat
Conservation Planning
Conservation Planning
Conservation Evidence: Bats: Actions to Conserve Biodiversity "We have summarised evidence from the scientific literature about the effects of actions to conserve wildlife and ecosystems."
PA Parks and Forests: Bat Conservation in Pennsylvania This page goes into some detail about Hibernacula Conservation, and summer habitat conservation, and the creation of a habitat conservation plan.
Different Types of Roosts
Different Types of Roosts
Bats and Where They Call Home "Bats do not use the same bat cave all year round! They have different resting places, called roosts, that they utilize throughout the season depending on their needs."
Building & Placing Bat Houses
Building & Placing Bat Houses
Gardening for Bats
Gardening for Bats
Bat Hunting & Poaching
Bat Hunting & Poaching
Bat Hunting and Exploitation Observation Data Portal "Around the world, bats are hunted, traded, and killed. They are hunted for food, medicine, and as sport; are traded as souvenirs; and are persecuted. In order to understand this exploitation and how it impacts the persistence of bat populations globally, we at GBatNet are calling upon the experiences of our global community to report observations of bat exploitation in any setting. This observation can be of any bat species, in any location, in any form. Help us monitor this threats to bats across time and space and further our mission to protect bats and bat diversity in our changing world."
Europe
Europe
Protected Bat Species "Here are the 55 bat species occurring in the EUROBATS area and listed under the Agreement."
UK
UK
North America
North America
Pollinator Conservation Resource Center "Region-specific resources to aid in the planning, establishment, restoration, and maintenance of pollinator habitat.
Welcome to the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center! Here we offer region-specific collections of publications, native plant and seed suppliers, and other resources to aid in planning, establishing, restoring, and maintaining pollinator habitat—as well as materials to help you learn about the various invertebrates you might encounter.
To view resources relevant to where you live and work, start by selecting your region from the map or the list."
USA
USA
Florida
Oceana
Oceana
New Zealand
New Zealand
Bats/Pekapeka "There are two species of bats in New Zealand: the long-tailed bat and the lesser short-tailed bat.
The long-tailed bat is classed as ‘Nationally Critical’ and short-tailed bat subspecies range from ‘Nationally Vulnerable’ to ‘Recovering’. But they are in danger of extinction if we don't protect them.
Māori folklore refer to bats as pekapeka and associate them with the mythical, night-flying bird, hōkioi, which foretells death or disaster."Eglinton Valley Lesser Short-Tailed Bat Monitoring Programme
Education Opportunities
Education Opportunities
Africa
Africa
Asia
Asia
West Asia
West Asia
WAB-Net: Capacity Building "A critical component of WAB-Net is to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills among its members, thereby increasing the scientific capacity of researchers and institutions throughout the Western Asia region." Includes Field Training, Lab Training, and Field-to-Lab Exchange
Europe
Europe
UK
UK
Bat Conservation Trust: Events & Training "Whether you are a bat-beginner or an expert you are sure to find an event to interest you in the listings below. Year round the Bat Conservation Trust, local bat groups and others arrange bat events across the UK from training courses to bat walks for families."
Scoping Surveys for Arborists 🌳 🦇 ""Very good introduction to bats in relation to ecology, the law and tree use." Course participant, 2017 This Lantra-accredited course, developed by the Bat Conservation Trust and supported by the Arboricultural Association, will enable participants to carry out tree works with consideration for the potential effects on bats and their habitats. ..."
North America
North America
USA
USA
Maps
Maps
Asia
Asia
North America
North America
A Mother's Migration 2 maps showing where 3 separate species of nectar-feeding bats roost and migrate. Includes the USA, Mexico, Guatamala, Honduras and El Salvador.
Áreas y Sitios de Importancia para la Conservación de los Murciélagos de Latinoamérica y El Caribe
Pollinator Conservation Resource Center (Interactive) "Region-specific resources to aid in the planning, establishment, restoration, and maintenance of pollinator habitat.
Welcome to the Pollinator Conservation Resource Center! Here we offer region-specific collections of publications, native plant and seed suppliers, and other resources to aid in planning, establishing, restoring, and maintaining pollinator habitat—as well as materials to help you learn about the various invertebrates you might encounter.
To view resources relevant to where you live and work, start by selecting your region from the map or the list."
El Salvador
El Salvador
A Mother's Migration 2 maps showing where 3 separate species of nectar-feeding bats roost and migrate. Includes the USA, Mexico, Guatamala, Honduras and El Salvador.
Guatemala
Guatemala
A Mother's Migration 2 maps showing where 3 separate species of nectar-feeding bats roost and migrate. Includes the USA, Mexico, Guatamala, Honduras and El Salvador.
Honduras
Honduras
A Mother's Migration 2 maps showing where 3 separate species of nectar-feeding bats roost and migrate. Includes the USA, Mexico, Guatamala, Honduras and El Salvador.
Mexico
Mexico
A Mother's Migration 2 maps showing where 3 separate species of nectar-feeding bats roost and migrate. Includes the USA, Mexico, Guatamala, Honduras and El Salvador.
USA
USA
A Mother's Migration 2 maps showing where 3 separate species of nectar-feeding bats roost and migrate. Includes the USA, Mexico, Guatamala, Honduras and El Salvador.
Oceana
Oceana
Australia
Australia
AusBats: BatMap "Discover the national and local distribution of every species of bat in Australia. Distribution maps have been developed by leading bat experts and are updated and maintained by utilising the collective knowledge of the members of the Australasian Bat Society."
New Zealand
New Zealand
Distribution of New Zealand’s Bats "Once found throughout forested areas of New Zealand, both species of bat became severely restricted in range during the 20th century as forests were felled, and bat colonies were attacked by introduced predators (rats, stoats, cats). The short-tailed species is threatened with extinction, and survives only in small isolated stands of old native forest."
Grants & Funding
Grants & Funding
Oceana
Oceana
Australia
Australia
Australasia Bat Society: Grants "The Australasian Bat Society proudly supports projects by members that promote the conservation and/or knowledge of bats in Australasia through the ABS Grants programme.
Grant details will usually be announced to ABS members in autumn and spring each year."
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