Fruit-eating bats are very important for the dispersal of seeds. Ela-Sita Carpenter | October 31, 2013 . Evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) smell like burnt oranges and reproductively active free-tailed bats like fungus. Bats are amazing animals that are vital to the health of our environment and economy. Insect-eating bats are great for keeping bugs away from crops, as well as the places where the bats roost. N. humeralis is not listed as a species of special concern by the U.S. Evening bats are sometimes confused with Myotis species, although evening bats have a curved tragus not seen in Myotis. By eating insects, bats save U.S. agriculture billions of dollars per year in pest control. Evening bats have declined in Indiana, but it appears to be relatively abundant in Missouri and Iowa. Bats are associated with evil and medical concerns; however, these creatures actually play several important … HABITAT LOSS Many bats depend on riparian areas (riverbanks, lakeshores, etc.) The Importance of Bat Conservation. Fruit-eating bats are very important for the dispersal of seeds. Description: The fur of the evening bat is usually a dark brown, but may also have a bronze to reddish tint. In this post, we will discuss bats and why they are so important to us as pest control experts. This is especially important for cleared and damaged rain forests. Lets face it, bats get a pretty bad rep. This species closely resembles the big brown bat, but is smaller in size. Many of the 1,300 species of bat are considered to be threatened and declining. You should avoid handling bats because several species, such as the hoary and big brown bats, have large teeth that can puncture skin if they are handled improperly. Bat droppings (guano) are a very effective fertilizer and when collected responsibly it can have a very positive effect on local economies. All bats are important in our environment and they all fill critical niches that have evolved over millions of years. Insect-eating bats are great for keeping bugs away from crops, as well as the places where the bats roost. The Brazilian free-tailed bat has been recognised as an important “pest management service” in cotton farming. Bats are so effective at dispersing seeds into ravaged forestlands that they’ve been called the “farmers of the tropics.” Regenerating clear-cut forests is a complex natural process, one that requires seed-scattering by birds, primates and other animals as well as bats. Guest post by Ela-Sita Carpenter. Although we may not always see them, bats are hard at work all around the world each night – eating thousands of insects, pollinating flowers, … As a bat rehabilitator for many years, I have cared for thousands of bats, and I often describe the bats I care for in terms of their distinctive odors. Even individuals of … D.C.. All healthy bats try to avoid humans by taking flight and are not purposely aggressive. All bats are important in our environment and they all fill critical niches that have evolved over millions of years. It has short dark ears and the muzzle is broad, unfurred and nearly black. The Brazilian free-tailed bat has been recognised as an important “pest management service” in cotton farming. Bat droppings (guano) are a very effective fertilizer and when collected responsibly it can have a very positive effect on local economies. WHY BATS ARE IMPORTANT. Most bats are about the size of a mouse and use their small teeth and weak jaws to grind up insects. Although many people fear bats, misconceptions are largely responsible for this unfounded unease. Other bats are critical pollinators of seeds and fruits that we eat. for … Other bats are critical pollinators of seeds and fruits that we eat. Many times in the media they are portrayed as scary, blood sucking, rabid creatures. With the peak of the pest control season now behind us for 2017, we thought it would be appropriate to discuss something that we rarely write about. Why aren’t they always sick? Bats host more pathogens than most other mammals. And quite a few species can be pretty darn cute! Its population trends have not been monitored, and its status is unknown over much of its range. Fruit bats pollinate the legendary baobab tree – these iconic trees have cultural and aesthetic value. Because bats eat so many insects in some regions, they can also reduce the need for pesticide sprays. Bats display an abundant diversity of dietary practices, varying from species which feed on insects and small fish to species which feed on fruit, nectar and pollen.