BOO! Animals that Scare Us!

October is here with Halloween and many other cultural celebrations to bring us closer to Fall and cooler weather. (and hopefully spending more time outdoors!)
Halloween also brings out some traditional animals we tend to decorate (or dress as) to be "creepy and spooky."


Ideas on what those animals are?

You bet! SPIDERS......BATS......WOLVES.....some may say Owls, rats and black cats. What comes to mind when you see these animals? 

Since your students will be seeing these decorated at school, home and any retail store, let's talk some facts about these amazing creatures!

BATS
What do you think about when you hear a bat or see a bat?

I remember my first bat experience – and it was not in person. And it was probably what the stereotypical reaction to bats is – negative and creepy. My opinion of bats, even at a young age, was based on myths reflected in TV shows, movies and books. Why would I think they are creepy? Well, they come out at night, they are associated with vampires and they live in caves. As a 6 year old and growing up, I would define that as creepy. In retrospect, it is more along the lines as the misunderstanding of a flying mammal. (another oddity to add to the “creepy” list, wouldn’t you say?)
Zoobooks Bats cover of magazine



As I got older, I was still reluctant to read about bats or watch anything involving them. THEY WERE CREEPY!! However, my curious animal lover side got the best of me when my monthly edition of Zoobooks came in with the title:  BATS.

Let me tell you. I loved my monthly Zoobooks! They always fed my curiosity, my thirst for wildlife facts and even little tips towards conservation – and NEVER disappointed me. So of course I was going to read it despite the subject. My Zoobooks gave me accurate information about bats – anatomy, habitats, and food sources for different species, described how echolocation worked and even myths. That’s right, it took time to address those myths so I knew how to distinguish between fictional information and the reality.

So bats kinda have a bad reputation, but at that point, I was willing to understand they were a “good” creature in an ecosystem.  But honestly, they were still on my “creepy animal” list.

My next bat encounter happened when I was an adult on a family trip and got to see them in flight at Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico).  

After a day of walking the caverns, we sat outside the cave entrance, near sunset, with hundreds of other visitors from across the World to see the creepy bats.  A Park Ranger told us some cool facts about the creatures:  like they are born hairless and blind, they are the only true flying mammal and they eat insects! They let us know how sensitive they are to electronic devices during their exit flight, and to be respectful and quiet while we watch them exit. These bats happened to be insectivores, feeding on insects for miles and miles. Over 500,000 Brazilian Free Tailed bats were about to fly out!

I remember this experience vividly. The evening was full of color from the recent sunset and there was a cool breeze. Everyone was in total silence as you could gradually here the humming of thousands of wings beating towards us. And then goose bumps! These little winged creatures funneling out of a long, dark cave to open freedom and fresh air. In perfect harmony as they blasted past out in search of the night’s food. Occasionally you could hear their squeaks. No one spoke. Everyone there was in total amazement of these creatures.

It was a total opposite experience of the first time I “saw” a bat. I officially did not think they were creepy anymore. Have you had a bat viewing experience? How was it and did it change your opinion of the flying creature?

And that’s kinda, why I think, it makes for a particularly good creature for Halloween and mysteries. From first impressions, these creatures have a “costume” of creepiness, but when you look at the true creature, you find a very cool one indeed. Lots of Halloween stories involve mistaken identities, tall-tales and speculation.

Let’s reflect on my bat encounters (and do so on your own bat encounters). How drastically different these experiences were. What made them so different? An indirect experience versus direct experience? Fictional, skewed information based on myths versus accurate information backed by scientific observation and data? Age? Environment? Being alone versus being with family and friends?

Experience is the key word. I had a memory made with family, outdoors, watching a creepy, yet eerily magnificent animal with just enough facts to keep it real, and enough mystery to make it feel magical.

So why don’t we try to give more experiences like that for our students? Experiences like this increase knowledge and awareness, while also reducing fear and debunking inaccuracy. Sure sometimes access to experiences is a constraint, so let’s start with the facts.

 (Remember to never handle bats or other wild animals! )


Get to know your Bat Neighbor

Here are some facts that grabbed my attention:
  • Texas is home to the most bat species in the US. We are home to 32 of 47 species found in the US!
  • Bat moms know their pups (that’s what an immature bat is called) from hundreds of others based on its smell!
  • bats can eat their body weight in insects in one night. Ummm, could you imagine eating your  body weight in Halloween candy? :)
  • Echolocation to navigate the dark is one cool function.
  • Some species of bats are considered a pollinator!!!
Dive into these awesome sites to find your favorite bat fact! Will it change your creepy creature list to remove bats?
Bat Conservation International – Kidz Cave
Fun, quick facts, videos, coloring sheets and crafts!
http://www.batcon.org/resources/media-education/learning
The Nature Conservancy (some cools pics!)
10 Quick Facts about Bats –
Always good info paired with beautiful pictures.
National Geographic
Bats have an Appreciation Day to celebrate them – April 17. These pictures reflect their beauty.
Live Science
Live Science has accurate information to build further inquiry on many scientific disciplines.
https://www.livescience.com/28272-bats.html
Texas Parks & Wildlife
Learn more about the most popular bat in Texas – the Mexican Free-Tailed Bat
(this site also shows the anatomy of the bat AND bat viewing etiquette – super important as a conservationist and wildlife viewer)
National Geographic KiDS
Bat Myths Busted!
CNN Travel
When they say everything is bigger in Texas, they mean it! Check out the largest bat colony in the world, Bracken Cave…
National Park Service
Bats, bats, bats – everything the NPS has on bats, right here. PLUS, a great way to think about the national parks you would like to visit in order to have your first bat viewing experience!
American Library Association
Batty About Bats – Book List
I challenge you to find these, in your school library or in your local library!
National Wildlife Federation
Build a Bat House!
Great family project to that you can show your parents all your mad math, science, reading, drawing and building skills all in one!

How did reading, viewing images or the video change your perceptions of bats? Leave a comment below to let me know more about your perceptions.

Bats are another creature we need to support a healthy, balanced ecosystem. If we eliminated bats(like loss of their habitat), how would that effect the communities surrounding their caves? Sure we think they are creepy by looks and habits, but after reading about them, I hope you have an understanding of why we still need them in our world – and not just as a Halloween decoration, costume or story. Maybe your interest is peaked and you can plan a family trip in the spring and summer to experience your first bat viewing. Or share a cool fact whenever you see a bat decoration. :)

Feed your curiosity with more than just candy this month. Take a chance one late evening, with your family, to sit outside and listen/look for bats eating bugs - maybe even read one of those bat books you find in the library. If you do not notice them, why might that be? You might be surprised what you find! 

Get outside!
OutdoorAmy

Comments

  1. Great bat blog for Halloween, Amy! Love the details, description, and compassion in your writing! - Sheila

    ReplyDelete
  2. National Geographic has some amazing photos! So does the Nature Conservancy.

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