There are more than 1,400 species of bats worldwide, and 47 of them reside in the United States. Some states are absolutely packed with these flying …
The Biggest Bat Colony In The World Lives In One Texas Cave
There are more than 1,400 species of bats worldwide, and 47 of them reside in the United States. Some states are absolutely packed with these flying mammals, while others have relatively few. For instance, 14 bat species are found in North Georgia, while Oklahoma has 24. Arizona is close to the top of the list with 28 species of bat, but the state with by far the most is Texas, with 32.
Of the more than 1,200 species of bats worldwide, 47 species of bats live in the United States and 14 of those are found in North Georgia, according to Bat Conservation International. Most bats hunt insects, helping to control pests that might harm the food supply. Others feed on plant nectar and help in pollination. Bats are mammals in the Chiroptera family, which means hand wing, and are the only mammals to fly.
Bats suffer a public perception problem. Long villainized by Western cultures, much of the general public associates bats with Halloween, graveyards and the alter-ego of a certain blood-thirsty Transylvanian Count. Contrary to popular opinion, they're neither nefarious flying rodents, nor intent on infecting you with scary, lethal diseases.
Superstitions and myths surrounding bats cause many people to seek ways to get rid of rather than attract them. However, once people learn the truth, they want to keep them around. These winged mammals are experts at pest control; one bat can eat up to 3,000 insects in a single night, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. In some areas bat numbers are dwindling due to loss of habitat and the spread of white nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease. Providing shelter in the form of a bat box can help prevent the spread of white nose and keep bat populations at a steady level.
Explore Earth's lush and vibrant ecosystems and discover the sublime beauty of the natural world with scientific principles and processes as your guide.