With their beady eyes, sharp fangs and leathery wings, bats have long been staples of Halloween and all things spooky. They’re seen as creatures of the night determined to at least tangle themselves in your hair, or at worst suck your blood.
Perhaps they are just misunderstood, and given their large worldwide population, embracing them may do wonders for the environment.
After rodents, bats are the second-largest order of mammals on Earth, with around 1,500 known species. In Stanislaus County alone, there are at least 16 species, and thanks to a multi-agency partnership, these mysterious fliers may soon be able to tell us more about the health and ecology of our region…