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There are about 4000 species of mammals in the world. Did you know that 25% of all living mammal species are bats? There are over 1,000 species of bats! Bats are the only true flying mammal. They range from the small insect-eaters common in the United States to the puppy-size fruit bats of Southeast Asia. Of these 1,000 species, there is only one that drinks blood, and these are located only in the jungles of central and south america. There are no vampire bats in the United States. Most of the American bats are insectivores, but a few species in the desert southwest are fruit and nectar eaters.
Bats are the only natural pollinators of the Agave plant, from which tequila is made. If you love Margaritas, thank the bats!!!
The bat is the official logo of Bacardi Rum. Bacardi donates large amounts of money to bat-related research projects. The story of how Mrs. Bacardi saw the bats as good fortune for their rum distillery is an interesting one to read on their home page.
Are we starting to see a pattern between alcohol consumption and appreciation of bats?
Bats are not rodents. They are members of the order Chiroptera, from the Greek words meaning "hand wing." The bones of a bat's wing are the bones of their arms and hands.
Bats are some of the most misunderstood and maligned mammals on earth, yet they do more good than many other species combined. Bats are nature's best insect pest control, able to consume huge quantities of moths, mosquitoes and other pests. Many organic farmers are researching and using bats as pest control for crops instead of using pesticides, setting up bat houses in their crop fields. The corn ear moth larvae are some of the most costly pests for corn farmers and are also a favorite meal of the Mexican Free-Tail Bat. The use of Free-Tail Bats is now eliminating the use of tons of pesticides in the corn fields of the U.S., and their droppings are excellent fertilizer. You can actually help promote the use of bats instead of pesticides by buying organically-grown vegetables.
Bats are very intelligent and they are not blind. Bats see as well as dogs, but since they use their sonar for hunting prey, vision is just not as important to them as it is to other species. Bat sonar is so highly refined that the U.S. Navy has been using it as a model for years and has yet to equal its level of sophistication.
Bat Houses
West End Animal Hospital boasts a large bat house in the center of its retention pond. It is occupied primarily by Mexican Free-Tails and Evening Bats. Approximately 1500 bats call this house home from November through April. They are gone to parts unknown from May through October. The public is welcome to come watch the bats exiting the house at dusk. Bring your camera.
The University of Florida is the proud owner of the largest bat house in the United States. Originally built in 1990 to house about 100,000 bats, it is becoming overcrowded and another house may be needed soon. This house has now become a tourist attraction and has educated many people to the benefits of bats and their conservation. You have to see the size of this house to believe it!
Really! Go see it!!
West End Animal Hospital volunteers have been active in rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned UF bats since 1998.
If you want to build your own bat house, you need to do some research. Bats are very particular about where they roost, and ideal structures vary in different parts of the country. The best resource for information on building bat houses is found at Bat Conservation International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving bat colonies throughout the world.
Bat Rescue and Rehabilitation
While Bat Conservation International focuses on the critical task of maintaining and establishing colonies of wild bats, there are many small groups of wildlife rehabilitators who concentrate on saving individual bats that suffer injury or disease as a result of nature or the encroachment of humans.
West End Animal Hospital is a federally and state licensed wildlife rescue facility and specializes in bats. Bats are often injured when they make navigational errors and catch their wings on objects, or baby bats are left orphaned when their mothers are killed. Many of these individuals are found by people and brought to our facility for medical care. If their conditions are such that they can eventually be released, we have a large flight cage in the back of the hospital where they can live and be fed while they regain their strength prior to release. If their injuries are too severe for release, they become permanent residents of West End. This group of non-releaseable bats can be seen residing in the reception area of the hospital. These bats are available to educators for presentations.
If you find a bat and need help and you do not live in the Gainesville area, please go to and find a rehabilitator in your geographical area.
is not truly a rescue facility, but it can help you get information on many species of bats. It is primarily focused on education and research, and is currently involved in important nutritional research of insectivorous bats in captivity. It is a good resource for teaching tools and educational brochures.
The largest and best-known bat rescue facility is located in Mineral Wells, Texas (near Dallas). provides care for hundreds of orphaned and injured bats every year, and is a full-time bat care operation. Its dedicated volunteers are always willing to help in any way possible, and their knowledge has made it possible for West End to continue a successful rescue program.
Bats are the only natural pollinators of the Agave plant, from which tequila is made. If you love Margaritas, thank the bats!!!
The bat is the official logo of Bacardi Rum. Bacardi donates large amounts of money to bat-related research projects. The story of how Mrs. Bacardi saw the bats as good fortune for their rum distillery is an interesting one to read on their home page.
Are we starting to see a pattern between alcohol consumption and appreciation of bats?
Bats are not rodents. They are members of the order Chiroptera, from the Greek words meaning "hand wing." The bones of a bat's wing are the bones of their arms and hands.
Bats are some of the most misunderstood and maligned mammals on earth, yet they do more good than many other species combined. Bats are nature's best insect pest control, able to consume huge quantities of moths, mosquitoes and other pests. Many organic farmers are researching and using bats as pest control for crops instead of using pesticides, setting up bat houses in their crop fields. The corn ear moth larvae are some of the most costly pests for corn farmers and are also a favorite meal of the Mexican Free-Tail Bat. The use of Free-Tail Bats is now eliminating the use of tons of pesticides in the corn fields of the U.S., and their droppings are excellent fertilizer. You can actually help promote the use of bats instead of pesticides by buying organically-grown vegetables.
Bats are very intelligent and they are not blind. Bats see as well as dogs, but since they use their sonar for hunting prey, vision is just not as important to them as it is to other species. Bat sonar is so highly refined that the U.S. Navy has been using it as a model for years and has yet to equal its level of sophistication.
Bat Houses
West End Animal Hospital boasts a large bat house in the center of its retention pond. It is occupied primarily by Mexican Free-Tails and Evening Bats. Approximately 1500 bats call this house home from November through April. They are gone to parts unknown from May through October. The public is welcome to come watch the bats exiting the house at dusk. Bring your camera.
The University of Florida is the proud owner of the largest bat house in the United States. Originally built in 1990 to house about 100,000 bats, it is becoming overcrowded and another house may be needed soon. This house has now become a tourist attraction and has educated many people to the benefits of bats and their conservation. You have to see the size of this house to believe it!
Really! Go see it!!
West End Animal Hospital volunteers have been active in rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned UF bats since 1998.
If you want to build your own bat house, you need to do some research. Bats are very particular about where they roost, and ideal structures vary in different parts of the country. The best resource for information on building bat houses is found at Bat Conservation International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving bat colonies throughout the world.
Bat Rescue and Rehabilitation
While Bat Conservation International focuses on the critical task of maintaining and establishing colonies of wild bats, there are many small groups of wildlife rehabilitators who concentrate on saving individual bats that suffer injury or disease as a result of nature or the encroachment of humans.
West End Animal Hospital is a federally and state licensed wildlife rescue facility and specializes in bats. Bats are often injured when they make navigational errors and catch their wings on objects, or baby bats are left orphaned when their mothers are killed. Many of these individuals are found by people and brought to our facility for medical care. If their conditions are such that they can eventually be released, we have a large flight cage in the back of the hospital where they can live and be fed while they regain their strength prior to release. If their injuries are too severe for release, they become permanent residents of West End. This group of non-releaseable bats can be seen residing in the reception area of the hospital. These bats are available to educators for presentations.
If you find a bat and need help and you do not live in the Gainesville area, please go to and find a rehabilitator in your geographical area.
is not truly a rescue facility, but it can help you get information on many species of bats. It is primarily focused on education and research, and is currently involved in important nutritional research of insectivorous bats in captivity. It is a good resource for teaching tools and educational brochures.
The largest and best-known bat rescue facility is located in Mineral Wells, Texas (near Dallas). provides care for hundreds of orphaned and injured bats every year, and is a full-time bat care operation. Its dedicated volunteers are always willing to help in any way possible, and their knowledge has made it possible for West End to continue a successful rescue program.
Both Batworld and Basically Bats are non-profit organizations which can always use financial support.
Be bat-friendly!! Ask your local wildlife rehabilitator how you can help.
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