International Bat Night falls during the last full weekend of August annually and is observed mainly in North America and Europe. During this holiday, people come together to dispel some of the myths surrounding bats and to raise awareness about the positive contributions that bats make to the world.

Currently, over 30 countries observe this holiday and work to improve the public’s perception of these fascinating animals. While this event weekend is observed mainly by professionals vested in protecting bats and their habitats, just about anyone can celebrate it. All that’s required is a love for bats and a willingness to help them.

The History of International Bat Night

International Bat Night was first created in 1997 by biologists and volunteers to raise awareness about bats and their role in the ecosystem. At the time, bats had a very bad reputation, which led people to take actions against them that were detrimental to the bats’ continued existence.

This holiday works to show bats not as the bloodthirsty monsters that media has traditionally portrayed them to be, but as important members of the natural world.

Interesting Facts About Bats

Let’s dig into some interesting bat facts that we think everyone will find intriguing. Although bat experts might be familiar with some of the following bullet points, we feel that there are probably one or two facts that most people don’t know about these creatures.

• Bats can live for over 30 years.
• Some bats can fly at speeds of over 60 miles per hour or even faster.
• Bats can consume over 1,200 mosquitoes in the course of an hour.
• Most bats have only one pup a year (yes, a pup is what you call a baby bat).
• Bat droppings create guano, which is one of the richest fertilizers in the world.

Observing International Bat Night

People can celebrate this holiday weekend in any way they want to, but some of the more common ways include visiting a bat exhibit at a local zoo, learning more about bats, or spreading the word about bats using the hashtag #InternationalBatNight on social media.

Let’s all raise the profile of these remarkable animals to dispel all the myths about them and help with their continued existence on this planet.