The world’s largest bat is the “flying fox” that lives on islands in the South Pacific. It has a wingspan of up to 6 feet. Can you imagine what that would be like, to have one flying at you? Holy of Holies! On the other hand, the world’s smallest bat is the bumble-bee bat of Thailand, which is smaller than a thumbnail and weighs less than a penny. That fellow would hardly be seen. Bats are gorgeous and quite sweet. They do however get a bad rap from the general public. I’m not entirely sure why that is the case, although most claim it’s the face and the teeth and the very large ears. OK, I guess that’s a bit of a list. Add to that that most of them fly together in (intimidating) hordes. Plus, they do hang out together. And there are those myths…but has anyone actually known someone who had a bat fly into her hair?

And yet bats are needed and do great work keeping the insect and mosquito populations at bay.

Posted by The Nature Conservancy

OK, I guess this little guy could turn some people off. That’s a shame too, as many of the bat species are in trouble in the United States.

And by-the-way, rest easy—there are no vampire bats in the States.