Bats in the Belfry October 1, 2023

I have wanted to use this title for a long time just like last week’s Swimming with the Fishes. How lucky were we that the beginning of October starts on a Sunday? I love October with the fall leaves, pumpkins, birthdays and bats. Bats are our friends. Here are some fun bat facts – Bats can live more than 30 years and can fly at speeds of 60 miles per hour (or more!) Bats can find their food in total darkness. Bats can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes an hour. More than half of the bat species in the United States are in severe decline or listed as endangered. Some bats hibernate in caves through the cold winter months. Pallid bats eat scorpions! Bat droppings, called guano, are one of the richest fertilizers. The world’s largest bat is the “flying fox,” which lives on islands in the South Pacific. Baby bats are called pups! Most bats have only one pup a year. The Bracken Bat Cave in Texas is home to the world’s largest bat colony. Happy Batober!