Halloween and Samhain are upon us! It’s time for the scary stories, costumes, candy, and creepy night creatures. The natural world has long played a role in shaping the scary stories, myths, and traditions surrounding this time of year. Early human societies feared the night because of the dangers it represented — predators, unseen threats, and the unknown. This fear of what lurks in the dark became a foundation for many scary stories and myths still disseminated today around this time of year.
Nocturnal animals like owls, bats, and wolves found their way into folklore as bringers of death or evil due to that fear. For example, bats, which are common in the autumn season and thrive in darkness, have long been linked to vampires and witches in popular lore. Although there are bloodsucking bat species (i.e. hematophagous bats), these usually feed on livestock, birds, and poultry, among others (not humans). In reality, the vast majority of bat species are far from the monsters our tales claim them to be, and actually have very important roles in keeping our ecosystems healthy.
The role of bats in maintaining ecosystems
Bats play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem function by acting as primary pollinators, seed dispersers, and insect controllers. Many bat species feed on nectar and are vital pollinators for a variety of plants, including those with economic importance like agave (used for tequila) and durian. During their feeding time, they get pollen stuck on their fur, wings, and faces which is transferred between flowers as they feed which ends up in pollination. Thus, they help maintain plant reproduction and biodiversity, especially in tropical and desert ecosystems where other pollinators may be scarce.
Fruit-eating bats contribute to forest regeneration by dispersing seeds over large distances, particularly in deforested or disturbed areas. This aids in the restoration of habitats and the maintenance of plant diversity including many economically relevant species, like the plant used to make kopi luwak (a.k.a. bat poop coffee).
Insectivorous bats provide essential pest control services by consuming large quantities of insects, including agricultural pests and disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes. Their contributions to pollination, seed dispersal, and insect population control make bats integral to both natural ecosystems and human well-being.
What about the hematophagous bats?
Bloodsucking bats, particularly vampire bats, play a unique ecological role despite their parasitic behavior of feeding on the blood of other animals. By selectively targeting weaker or sick individuals in livestock and wildlife populations, vampire bats can help regulate these populations. This selective feeding may contribute to the overall health of the herd, as it can reduce the spread of diseases and ensure that stronger individuals thrive.
In addition, vampire bats are an integral part of the food web. They serve as prey for larger predators, such as birds of prey, snakes, and carnivorous mammals, thereby transferring energy from herbivores or omnivores (their prey) to higher trophic levels. This connectivity supports biodiversity and helps maintain the balance of ecosystems. Overall, while their feeding habits may seem harmful, hematophagous bats contribute to the health and stability of their environments in subtle yet significant ways.
Do bats need protection?
The short answer is “yes”. The long answer? Absolutely yes! Bats need conservation efforts targeting their species and habitats because, as we mentioned earlier, they play crucial roles in maintaining ecosystems — each species in their own unique way. If we aim to repair our global climate systems by restoring and protecting our ecosystems, then we must include the species that play key roles in that, as well as bats that are in that group. There are many endangered and critically endangered bat species worldwide. Over 100 are present on the Red List. So yes, bats need our help too.
Some of our partners, like Friends of Usambara in Tanzania, advance bat conservation through reforestation and habitat restoration, even if it’s not their main focus. Their efforts restore native forests, providing crucial habitats for insectivorous and frugivorous bats1, which helps maintain biodiversity and enhances ecological balance through pollination, seed dispersal, and natural pest control. These projects also benefit local communities by promoting sustainability, improving livelihoods, and fostering eco-tourism. Feel free to learn more, and remember, bats are likely more interested in flowers, fruits, or insects than in you 😉
1 William T. Stanley and Steven M. Goodman “Small Mammal Inventories in the East and West Usambara and South Pare Mountains, Tanzania. 3. Chiroptera,” Fieldiana Life and Earth Sciences 2011 (4), 34-52, (26 August 2011). https://doi.org/10.3158/2158-5520-4.1.34.
