Blind as a Bat - NOT!

Meet Betsy!

As I prepare for the release of Betsy the Brazilian Bat, I am sharing a few myths and facts about bats – all of them, not just the Brazilian, which is one common in most of the continental United States.  So here they are:

Myth 1: Bats are blind.

Fact: Bats can see! Many species actually have good eyesight, and some can see in low light better than humans. They also use echolocation to navigate in the dark, but that doesn’t mean they’re blind.

Myth 2: All bats carry rabies.

Fact: Less than 1% of bats are infected with rabies. Like any wild animal, sick or injured bats should not be handled, but the vast majority of bats are healthy and pose no risk if left undisturbed.

Myth 3: Bats are dirty and dangerous.

 Fact: Bats are clean animals that groom themselves frequently. They play a vital role in healthy ecosystems by eating insects, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds.

Myth 4: Bats suck people’s blood.

Fact: Out of more than 1,400 bat species, only three are vampire bats, and they live in Latin America. Even those feed mostly on livestock, not people. Most bats eat insects, fruit, nectar, or fish.

Myth 5: Bats are pests with no value.

Fact: Bats are extremely beneficial. A single bat can eat thousands of mosquitoes and crop pests in one night, saving farmers billions of dollars annually in pest control. Others pollinate plants like bananas, mangos, and agave (used for tequila!).