International Bat Nights 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 smash some of the myths surrounding bats and to raise awareness about some of the positive things that bats bring to the world.

Currently, there are 30+ countries that are observing this holiday and working to improve the public’s perception of these beautiful 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 out.

The History Of International Bat Nights

International Bat Nights was first created in 1997 by biologists and volunteers to raise attention about bats and their role in the ecosystem. At the time, bats had a really bad reputation, which led people to take actions against them that were detrimental to the bat’s continued existence. This is a holiday that works to show bats not as blood-thirsty monsters that media has traditionally made them out 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 interesting. 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 didn’t know about these creatures.

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

Observing International Bat Nights

People can celebrate this holiday weekend any way they want to, but some of the more common ways include checking out a bat exhibit at a local zoo, learning more about bats, or spreading the word about bats using the hashtag #InternationalBatNights on social media. Let’s all raise the profile of these remarkable animals to bust all of the myths about them and help with their continued existence on this planet.