Celebrate bats in your classroom

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Bat Week 2018 graphic
bat hanging upside-down


Celebrate Michigan bats in your
classroom during Bat Week!

Bats play a critical role in the ecosystem. Learn more about the species that call Michigan home and how you can help conserve these important animals. Below are some resources and activities to try with your students.


All about Michigan bats

Group of bats hanging upside-down

Michigan bats are all insectivores and have some incredible adaptations that help them survive. Learn all about them at michigan.gov/bats.

Activity: Myths vs. Facts 
As a class or in small groups, have students list things they know about Michigan bats. Write down all the ideas and facts on the board, then go through the list and talk about if they are true or false. What myths or misconceptions have you heard about bats that are not yet on the list? Why do you think these myths came about? You also may choose to have the students each pick one of the items listed and research more about it to see if it is true or false, either individually or in small groups.

Other learning activities:


Threats to bats and how to help

bat hanging upside-down

Bats are amazing animals that are vital to our health, environment and economy. Yet bats are in decline nearly everywhere they are found. They need our help. During BatWeek 2018, take action!

In 2014, white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease affecting North American bats, was confirmed in Michigan. It primarily affects bats during hibernation. Infected bats prematurely awaken from hibernation, rapidly deplete their fat reserves and are unable to survive the winter. Bats with white-nose syndrome often exhibit unusual behavior, such as flying during daylight hours or gathering outside of caves in cold weather.

To learn more about white-nose syndrome and how you and your students can help:

Ideas for getting your students involved in bat conservation:


Be bat safe

Bats, like all wild animals, should be treated with respect and left alone. Wild animals may bite or scratch to defend themselves and could carry diseases or parasites that could be passed to pets and people. Learn more about rabies.

Remember, if you find a bat, leave it alone. You should contact your county health department if you come in physical contact with a bat or if the bat was found in a home or other living quarters.


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