What would Halloween be without bats?

While bats might be considered spooky by some, they are a vital part of our ecosystem. This comes from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency that does a lot of work protecting many species of bats.

Here are a few bat facts you could share with the trick-or-treaters tonight (well, maybe just the too-old ones):

• There are over 1,100 species of bats.
• They are mammals from the order Chiroptera; they are not closely related to birds.
• They live on every continent except Antarctica.
• Only 3 species suck blood.
• Most eat insects; small bats can eat up to 2,000 insects every night, saving many crops from being destroyed.
• Other bats eat fruit and perform the vital tasks of pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds.

To learn more, visit www.fws.gov/refuges/news/batsspookyspecial.html