It’s Bat Appreciation Month, or as we like to call it — Bat-ober. Bats’ affinity for bug-cuisine makes them a natural pesticide and they save South Carolina’s agricultural industry over $115 million each year in pesticides.
There are 14 bats that call South Carolina their home, but let’s take a look at just a few of the bats that can be found in the Upstate:
🦇 Big brown bat | Among the largest of the South Carolinian bats, these big browns average at four to five inches in length and can eat a third of its weight in one night.
🦇 Eastern small-footed bat | Like its name suggests, this bat is among the smallest of its region. It’s also relatively rare and can be identified by its black ears and muzzle.
🦇 Evening bat | These beetle-eating bats coexist well with humans and their appetite for Japanese beetles can save your lawn from infestation.
Can’t get enough of bats? You’re in luck — the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is hosting the annual Halloween Bat Count on Fri., Oct. 28 at Sunrift Adventures (1 Center St., Travelers Rest). Enjoy bat-related activities like a bat talk, bat count, and a view of hundreds of bats emerging at sunset.
