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Yes! Bats are an important part of our local ecosystem. Bats native to the United States are typically insect-eaters and help control many insect populations like mosquitoes! In fact, one little brown bat can eat 60 medium-sized moths or over 1,000 mosquito-sized insects in one night according to Bat Conservation International. Plus, some bats in southern regions of the United States can even be important pollinators!

Unfortunately, bats are facing many threats. Their natural habitat is being replaced by housing and agriculture and their main food source, insects, are experiencing their own decline! Meanwhile, the spread of white nose syndrome*, a frequently fatal disease for bats, has led to a sharp decline in bat populations.

Since over 83% of land in the United States is privately owned, the way you care for your garden is incredibly important when it comes to providing habitat for bats (and other wildlife species)! While bats may use green spaces like parks or forests for habitat, these areas are fragmented and can be far from one another. Helping to bridge these areas by turning your garden into a wildlife-friendly habitat can make a huge difference for wildlife like bats!

*White nose syndrome, while very detrimental to bats, does not affect humans.

According to the , there are ten endangered bat species in the U.S. and its territories. And the published a "" report in 2023, finding that “52 percent of bat species in North 皇冠体育app官网平台 are at risk of populations declining severely in the next 15 years."ⁱ

Here are a few of the species that are endangered in the U.S. and facing extinction if conservation efforts are not successful:

Northern long-eared bat () is a medium-sized bat about 3 to 3.7 inches in length but with a wingspan of 9 to 10 inches. And not surprisingly, it has long ears, longer than other bats in its genus, Myotis, which mostly have small ears. It is found in 37 U.S. states and Canada. White-nose syndrome is the biggest threat to this bat species, especially throughout the Northeast where the species has declined by up to 99 percent from pre-white-nose syndrome levels at many hibernation sites.ⁱⁱ The Northern long-earned bat will roost by themselves or in small groups. In the summer, they prefer tree cavities or under loose bark, and in the winter they will hibernate in caves (or abandoned mines). Like all bats, they are insectivores. Their favorite food is moths, but they will also eat leafhoppers, flies, caddisflies, and beetles.ⁱⁱⁱ

Ozark big-eared bat () is also a medium sized bat, but smaller than the Northern long-eared, its size ranges from 1.5 to 1.8 inches. The Ozark prefers to feed on moths and can be found in cave and karst areas that are surrounded by oak-hickory hardwood forests. They are currently found in northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas, and historically could be found in Missouri, but unfortunately are now considered extirpated (destroyed) in that region. “Like other temperate bats, the species exhibits strong roost fidelity, meaning they return to the same maternity and hibernation sites every year."^iv Humans are the biggest threat to this species. “Unauthorized human entry into caves cause bats to abandon their roosts, this can be detrimental during maternity and hibernation seasons."^v

Florida bonneted bat () lives in South Florida and are among the largest bats in the U.S. with wingspans of up to 20 inches. They have large, forward-facing ears that give them their name “bonneted" it looks like they are wearing a bonnet. Their habitat includes pine and hardwood forests, agricultural areas, golf courses, and neighborhoods. And they roost in natural pine tree cavities, under barrel roofing tiles, and in bat houses. Their preferred diet features beetles, flies, bugs, and moths. Since they live in a warm climate, they are active year-round. The biggest threat to the Florida bonneted bat is habitat loss from development and agriculture.^vi

i. North 皇冠体育app官网平台n Bat Conservation Alliance
ii. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
iii. Connecticut Government .
iv. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
vi. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Less than 1% of bats carry rabies, with only 1-3 cases of human infection by bats per year in the U.S. on average. However, bats, like all mammals, have the potential to contract and carry rabies. In the United States, rabies is mostly found in bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. For bats and any wildlife species, we always recommend keeping a safe distance and never touching them with your bare hands.

Making your garden bat friendly has many benefits, and while it may attract bats to your yard, this does not mean bats will come close to you or even that you will see them much. You are most likely to see them flying around high in the sky at night when they hunt for insects.

If you believe you have come into direct contact with a wild animal, it is important to seek medical attention and report the incident to a healthcare professional immediately. If you notice bats exhibiting unusual behavior, please call a local rehabilitation facility.

No, bat populations across the country vary a lot in their species, numbers, and preferred habitat. It is always a good idea to do research on your local native populations and determine what habitat elements they depend upon.

You can learn more about bats and the various species in the United States through our wildlife guide here!