10/27/2026
Bats may look spooky to some, but they actually perform critical tasks in the environment that help humans all year long!
The 1,400 species that are spread across six different continents serve an important purpose in our ecosystem. They pollinate plants, distribute seeds, and control insect pests, including mosquitoes. Fifteen different species of these small mammals live in Mississippi.
Some bat facts:
Bats are mammals that belong to the order Chiroptera, which is from the Greek words Cheir (hand) and Pteron (wing).
On average, most bats can eat up to half their body weight in insects per night.
Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight.
Most species give birth to only one pup per year, making bats some of the slowest reproducing mammals for their size.
Bats are the primary pollinators for agave plants in the wild. They help pollinate many other types of plants from deserts to rainforests by picking up and depositing pollen as they feed on nectar.
Sometimes bats find their way into houses and other structures. Bats can accidentally fly into an open door or window or squeeze through a small opening to get into an attic or wall void. However, you should never handle a bat. Like other wildlife, bats can carry diseases that could make humans sick.
If a bat accidentally enters a home or business, simply open exterior doors and windows to allow the bat to escape. If the bat doesn’t leave or if you encounter a bat in one of the other scenarios, contact the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for guidance. Again, do not handle the bat yourself under any circumstances!
Some bats are protected by federal law because of the role they play in our ecosystem and their declining numbers. Mishandling or killing certain bat species is punishable by law.
