What would Halloween be without the images of a few bats circling overhead? While many may think this is spooky, bats are often very misunderstood. Bats do not suck blood or transform into humans with fangs. Most bats are not rabid. Nor do they fly into ladies' hair. They are very interesting creatures and they are highly beneficial because they eat tremendous numbers of insects, including mosquitoes.

Studying bats is a great way to see how our prejudice about certain matters can cloud our view on life. Bats are, in fact, very beneficial. Fruit and nut plants like bananas, mangos, dates, carob, figs, and cashews depend on bats for pollination or seed dispersal. One bat can eat between 600 and 1,000 mosquitoes, and other insect pests, in just one hour. Some people even provide bat houses to encourage the critters to stay nearby.

Check out the links to the right. If you see a bat out tonight, say thanks. He will eat his weight in insects while he is out haunting!

~Ms. Coleen