Happy International Bat Week! Bats are the unsung heroes of Florida’s ecosystems, providing invaluable pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal. Among these winged wonders is one species that holds a special place in Florida’s conservation story: the Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus).
In Florida, many bat species serve as natural pest control, devouring vast quantities of mosquitoes, beetles, and other agricultural pests. In fact, a single bat can consume thousands of insects in just one night! This saves farmers millions of dollars in crop protection and reduces the need for chemical pesticides, making bats an essential player in sustainable agriculture and Florida’s unique biodiversity.
But Florida’s bats face many challenges, from habitat loss to climate change. As an endangered species, the Florida bonneted bat is particularly vulnerable. Distinguished by its rounded ears and unique “bonnet” appearance, the Florida bonneted bat is the state’s largest and rarest bat species. Found only in southern Florida, this species has suffered habitat loss due to rapid land development and climate change, which increases the intensity and frequency of storms, reducing natural roost availability.
Unlike other bats, the Florida bonneted bat does not roost in caves but prefers roosting in tree cavities, crevices, and even man-made structures. With Florida’s urbanization and increasing development, these natural roosting sites are disappearing. Coupled with extreme weather events, this species faces a precarious future.
Our Foundation recently partnered with Bat Conservation International (BCI) to help save this Florida icon. BCI has been working in Miami-Dade County since 2018 to bring the species back from the brink of extinction. We provided a $10,000 grant to help their Miami team perform important research on where Florida bonneted bats roost and forage within the city landscape. The information will help guide future policies on development to prevent further habitat destruction.
If you are as batty about these winged wonders as we are, you can support them by making a donation to our Florida Bonneted Bat Fund.
