Some folks are quick to dismiss bats as simply ‘scary’ (and the association with Halloween doesn’t help things). But during Bat Appreciation Month, consider their valuable contributions to the ecosystem. Bats around the world help to control bug populations (including agricultural pests), pollinate important plants, and disperse seeds–helping to regenerate lands that have been overharvested or otherwise damaged. In fact, what’s truly scary is how much we’d miss bats if they were gone. In North America, a disease called white-nose syndrome has killed millions of bats since it was identified in 2006–and scientists are working hard to find a way to help bats recover. One easy way to help bats is to build or buy a bat box for your property, and provide them with a safe space to roost.
A species worth defending
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Chestnut-eared aracari in the Pantanal, Brazil
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Village of Zahara de la Sierra, Cadiz, Spain
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When an ideal microclimate gives you lemons…
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World Teachers Day
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Museum Mile Festival
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National Park Week: Wind Cave National Park
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Porto Cathedral, Portugal
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Snow aglow in central Japan
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Bukhansan National Park, South Korea
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Manatee Appreciation Day
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Upstate autumn
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Overseas Highway, Florida Keys
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Arrr, it be Talk Like a Pirate Day
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Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
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Jamaica celebrates its independence
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The scene of a literary crime
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Llama Day
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Old Fortress, Corfu, Greece
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Wander the ancient medina
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Apple trees in spring, Germany
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Panda Day
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Patriot Day
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International Geodiversity Day
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Total solar eclipse
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Alpine marmots at Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
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Cape Town at dusk
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International Day of Friendship
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Entoloma hochstetteri mushroom at Lake Mahinapua, New Zealand
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Apple Tree Day
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Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act marks 42 years