10/07/2026
🦇 Bats are mammals with amazing talents. These small, furry creatures have mastered the art of flight. Moreover, they navigate by sound, eat enormous volumes of insects, and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Yes, many people fear bats due to concerns about disease or vampirism. There are no vampire species in the U.S., and although bat populations can harbor rabies, transmission to humans is rare.
Bats provide essential pollination, seed dispersal and other ecological services. They play a vital but unsung role in our ecosystems, economies and lives, eating volumes of insects to benefit our society, including agriculture and human health. Bat populations and entire species are under severe and immediate threat and need our help.
Want more? Read “Getting to Know Oregon’s Bats” (EM 9384) which discusses their distribution, habitat needs, their significant ecological roles in the environment, the threats they face, what to do if you encounter a bat and how we can support our furry flying friends.
