Frequently Asked Questions
There are a lot of misconceptions regarding bats, explore some of the common assumptions and questions.
Are bats flying mice?
No. Bats are not rodents, and they are not closely related to mice. Bats belong to the scientific order Chiroptera, which means “hand-wing”, and are actually closer in evolutionary history to dogs and primates. Unlike bats, rodents have distinct, large front teeth that never stop growing. However, both bats and rodents are mammals, which means they are warm-blooded, have fur, give birth to live young, and nurse their young with milk.
Are bats blind?
No. Bats are not blind. Most bats can see, and many species also use echolocation to navigate and find food in the dark. Echolocation works like biological sonar: bats produce high-pitched sounds and listen for the echoes that bounce back from insects, trees, buildings, and other objects.
Will bats fly into my hair?
No. Bats do not try to fly into people’s hair. Their echolocation is very precise, allowing them to detect and avoid objects while flying. If a bat swoops near you, it is most likely feeding on insects nearby or trying to find a safe flight path.
Do bats attack people?
No. Bats do not attack people. Like most wild animals, they prefer to avoid humans. A bat flying inside a home is usually confused and trying to escape. However, bats may bite in self-defense if they are handled, so they should never be touched with bare hands.
Why are bats important?
Bats play important roles in healthy ecosystems. Many bats eat night-flying insects, including moths, beetles, flies, and other insects that may be pests in forests, farms, gardens, and backyards. A single bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes and crop-damaging insects in just one hour. In South Dakota, every species of bat exclusively eats insects.
Around the world, bats also provide other important ecosystem services. Some bats are primary pollinators for over 300 plant species, including cacti and tropical plants. Others spread seeds that help forests regenerate, fruit bats are responsible for up to 95% of forest regeneration in cleared tropical areas. Bat guano can also be used as fertilizer in some parts of the world.
Bats have even contributed to medical research. Studies of vampire bat saliva, for example, have helped researchers better understand blood clotting and anticoagulants.
Around the world, bats also provide other important ecosystem services. Some bats are primary pollinators for over 300 plant species, including cacti and tropical plants. Others spread seeds that help forests regenerate, fruit bats are responsible for up to 95% of forest regeneration in cleared tropical areas. Bat guano can also be used as fertilizer in some parts of the world.
Bats have even contributed to medical research. Studies of vampire bat saliva, for example, have helped researchers better understand blood clotting and anticoagulants.
What do bats eat?
Most bats in North America eat insects. In South Dakota, all bat species are insect-eaters. They feed on moths, beetles, flies, mosquitoes, and other night-flying insects.
Bats in other parts of the world may have very different diets. Some eat fruit, nectar, pollen, fish, frogs, lizards, small mammals, or even blood. Only a few bat species feed on blood, and they are found in parts of Central and South America, not South Dakota.
Bats in other parts of the world may have very different diets. Some eat fruit, nectar, pollen, fish, frogs, lizards, small mammals, or even blood. Only a few bat species feed on blood, and they are found in parts of Central and South America, not South Dakota.
Where do bats roost?
Bats use many different types of roosts depending on the species and season. Some roost in caves or mines, while others use hollow trees, loose bark, rock crevices, bridges, foliage, or buildings.
In neighborhoods, bats may occasionally roost in attics, eaves, barns, or other structures. They are not chewing or damaging buildings like rodents, but guano and urine can build up over time if a colony is present.
In neighborhoods, bats may occasionally roost in attics, eaves, barns, or other structures. They are not chewing or damaging buildings like rodents, but guano and urine can build up over time if a colony is present.
Do bats hibernate?
Some bats hibernate during winter, while others migrate to warmer areas. Hibernation is a state of greatly reduced activity that allows bats to conserve energy when insects are unavailable. South Dakota has both hibernating and migrating species of bat.
During hibernation, a bat’s heart rate, breathing, and body temperature decrease. Disturbing a hibernating bat can cause it to wake and burn valuable fat reserves. Because bats cannot replace those reserves until insects return in spring, repeated disturbance can be harmful or even fatal.
During hibernation, a bat’s heart rate, breathing, and body temperature decrease. Disturbing a hibernating bat can cause it to wake and burn valuable fat reserves. Because bats cannot replace those reserves until insects return in spring, repeated disturbance can be harmful or even fatal.
When do bats have babies?
Many bats mate in the fall before hibernation or migration. Females can store sperm through the winter, with fertilization occurring in spring. Most bats have only one pup per year, although twins can occur in some species.
Young bats are born live and depend on their mothers for milk and care. They grow quickly and begin learning to fly and hunt within a few weeks. Many young bats do not survive their first year, but individuals that do survive can live surprisingly long lives. Some little brown bats have been known to live more than 30 years.
Young bats are born live and depend on their mothers for milk and care. They grow quickly and begin learning to fly and hunt within a few weeks. Many young bats do not survive their first year, but individuals that do survive can live surprisingly long lives. Some little brown bats have been known to live more than 30 years.
Are bats endangered?
Many bat species are facing serious conservation concerns. Threats include habitat loss, disturbance at roosting and hibernation sites, disease, wind energy development, pesticide exposure, and human persecution.
White-nose syndrome, a fungal disease affecting hibernating bats, has caused major declines in several North American bat species. Protecting roosts, reducing disturbance, and improving public understanding are important parts of bat conservation.
South Dakota is home to the federally endangered Northern long-eared bat and has several species of greatest conservation need.
White-nose syndrome, a fungal disease affecting hibernating bats, has caused major declines in several North American bat species. Protecting roosts, reducing disturbance, and improving public understanding are important parts of bat conservation.
South Dakota is home to the federally endangered Northern long-eared bat and has several species of greatest conservation need.
Do bats carry rabies?
Bats, like all mammals, can get rabies, but most bats do not have rabies. Even so, rabies is a serious disease, and any direct contact with a bat should be taken seriously.
Never handle a bat with bare hands. If you are bitten, scratched, or if bat saliva may have contacted your eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound, contact a physician or local public health agency right away. Visit the Health Risks page to learn more.
Never handle a bat with bare hands. If you are bitten, scratched, or if bat saliva may have contacted your eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound, contact a physician or local public health agency right away. Visit the Health Risks page to learn more.
What should I do if I find a bat in my house?
First, determine whether any person or pet may have had contact with the bat. If there is any chance of exposure, do not release the bat until you have contacted a physician, public health agency, animal control officer, or veterinarian.
If you are confident that no exposure occurred, close interior doors to keep the bat in one room. Open windows or exterior doors, turn off ceiling fans, and keep people and pets out of the room. The bat may leave on its own.
If the bat does not leave, do not handle it with bare hands. Contact animal control or a wildlife professional, or use a safe container-and-cardboard method while wearing thick gloves.
Visit the Bats in my House page for more information.
If you are confident that no exposure occurred, close interior doors to keep the bat in one room. Open windows or exterior doors, turn off ceiling fans, and keep people and pets out of the room. The bat may leave on its own.
If the bat does not leave, do not handle it with bare hands. Contact animal control or a wildlife professional, or use a safe container-and-cardboard method while wearing thick gloves.
Visit the Bats in my House page for more information.
How can I help bats?
You can help bats by protecting natural roosting areas, avoiding disturbance of caves and mines, keeping cats indoors, reducing unnecessary pesticide use, and learning how to safely exclude bats from buildings when needed.
Bat houses may also provide roosting habitat in some situations, especially when they are properly built, placed, and maintained.
Bat houses may also provide roosting habitat in some situations, especially when they are properly built, placed, and maintained.