Halloween is just around the corner! Black bats are a popular decoration but did you know that not all bats are dark colored? Bats have a variety of different colors and fur patterns.
The tiny Honduran White Bat lives in Central America. They roost under large leaves. Photo Credit
The Painted Bat lives in Asia. The colors are thought to be a form of camouflage. Photo Credit: Merlin D. Tuttle
This rare black and white bat lives in Africa. More information on the ‘panda bat’ can be found here! Photo Credit: Bucknell University/Deeann Reeder
The Yellow-winged Bat lives in Africa and eats insects. Photo Credit: Milos Andera
You don’t have to go to other continents to see colorful bats, there are some right here in Canada.
The Eastern Red Bat is widespread across eastern North America. They migrate south for the winter and eat insects. Photo Credit Brock Fenton.
The Hoary Bat is the largest bat in Canada and can be found throughout North America and much of South America. They migrate south for the winter and eat insects. Photo Credit Merlin Tuttle.
Karen Vanderwolf
Karen has been interested in the natural world for as long as she can remember, and she always knew her career would take her into the field of biology. Karen received her Masters of Science at the University of New Brunswick, where she studied bats and the pre-white-nose syndrome fungal flora that occurs on them. She completed her Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in biology at the University of Western Ontario. Karen has previously worked with Ontario Parks, performing plant and salamander field work; assisted in preparations for a Karner Blue Butterfly reintroduction; and worked with Swift Foxes, Wood Turtles and waterfowl.
3 comments
Cool! Thank you for the interesting information!
Two days before I found one colourful bat in my house. I would like to share that details with you.
That would be wonderful, Rishi! Could you send any details to jamesp@cwf-fcf.org
Thanks!