Bats are one of my absolute favourite animals.
Ever since I was a kid watching Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom I have been slightly fascinated by them. I remember the first time I ever walked through a bat enclosure in a zoo and just being amazed, and when I ever get a chance to go visit bats I'm straight in (sadly my kids are not huge fans - I just pretend I don't know them it's totally fine). I also used to love anything bat related - Batman (1960s version because Adam West is the best no arguments) and the amazing cartoon Batfink! (just to clarify even though these are both from the 60s I'm an 80s baby!) Then of course various vampire films - Dracula dead and loving it- Classic!
You may notice if you browse my website that I have a lot of bats. Obviously this is because I love them, but you all seem to as well - especially my Halloween spooky customers. Have you ever wondered why bats and Halloween go together? Most people probably assume its just the vampire thing - which it partly is, and that bats are a bit spooky coming out at night, hang upside down etc. But, there's an older reason which comes from Samhain celebrations.
Traditionally at Samhain bonfires are lit, which then attracts various bugs to the light of the flames. Bats would swoop in for the bugs and fly around the fires. Bats where seen as a representation of the spirits that roam the earth, and where celebrated as such.
Did you know that bats where associated with vampires as far back as the 16th century? Obviously we always relate vampires back to Dracula, but folklore about vampires existed way before, and the blood feeding bats (blood of small animals not humans) where found in south America in the 1500s and where later named (1810) vampire bats because of this. (if this ever comes up on a pub quiz you can thank me later)
Bat's are so amazing they get an appreciation day and month! Bat appreciation day being 17th April - April because this is when bats tend to emerge from hibernation. Bat appreciation month is October - because spooky season! But how do we appreciate bats? Well …
Have you seen a bat near your house before? The last couple of years there have been bats flying around our street but sadly I haven't seen them yet. I might have to find a spot for a bat box. (Beth's bats and bees have some fab ones) Might call for a nightly bat watch! (Dusk is the best time) Wrapped up in a bat snood of course. Remember to plant lots of insect attracting flowers for the bats too - evening primrose and honeysuckle are fab choices.
Learning about all the different bats is another fab way to appreciate these amazing creatures. From the tiny kitti’s hog-nosed bat to the giant golden-crowned flying fox they’re all fascinating!
If you have a bat facts drop them in the comments.