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THE BENEFIT OF BATS....BEYOND HALLOWEEN!
Sustainability: Nature's bug control: Florida's Bats
According to the Florida Bat Conservancy www.floridabats.org
Florida is home to thirteen (13) species of bats that are either year-round or seasonal residents. All 13 species are insectivorous. Some form colonies and some roost alone. There are also seven species of bats that have, on occasion, been found in Florida but they do not normally live here. These are referred to as accidental species. Three are from more northern climates and also eat insects. Four are from more tropical regions and feed on nectar, pollen and fruit. The latter have only been found in south Florida and the Florida Keys. Click on the links below to learn more about these bats.
Bats are Beneficial
Seventy percent of the world's bats eat insects. One bat can devour up to 3,000 insects in a night! Most insectivorous bats eat their body weight in insects each night. It has been estimated that the 22 million Mexican free-tailed bats roosting in Bracken Cave, Texas during the summer eat 250 tons of insects each night, a large portion of which are agricultural pests. It is little wonder that bats are considered the most important natural controller of night-flying insects.
In the tropics, fruit and nectar feeding bats play a vital role in the survival and re-growth of the rain forests. Fruit bats spread seeds as they fly and digest their food. Nectar feeding bats pollinate many valuable plants. Banana, avocado, date, fig, mango and balsa wood are a few of the trees that depend upon bats. Agaves, saguaro and organ pipe cactus depend on bats for pollination. Even the huge baobab tree in Africa, commonly called the "Tree of Life", relies on bats for its survival.
Bats are in Need of Help
You can help bats by learning more about them and sharing bat information with others. Fear and misunderstanding are one of the worst enemies of bats. This is why education is the main emphasis of the Florida Bat Center. Bat houses are also a perfect way to get involved in conservation. A bat house in your backyard will provide bats with a much needed, safe place to live. They will also do you the return favor of eating insects around the area. You can also help by supporting conservation groups that protect wildlife habitat and preserve natural lands. If you would like to help the Florida Bat Center in its mission to preserve Florida's native bat populations click here for Ways to Help.
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