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    Bats Are Defining #Squadgoals For Us All

    While bats may get misunderstood, they are actually animals that are impressively complex in their relationships. To put it short, they inspire my #squadgoals. Now, I should clarify that a squad is a group of friends and squad goals are something to live up to. This is a term I didn't really understand until I perused several articles about it. But basically, they take social to a whole new level and look cool while doing it.

    Danielle Brigida
    by Danielle Brigida

    Community Contributor

    1. Indiana Bats: Have "companion" in their name

    Ann Froschauer, USFWS / Via flic.kr

    The scientific name of the Indiana bat is Myotis sodalis -- an accurate description. Myotis means "mouse ear" and refers to the mouse-like ears of the bats. Sodalis is the Latin word for "companion." The Indiana bat is a very social species and they cluster together in large numbers during hibernation.

    2. The biggest squad of all is actually a colony

    Ann Froschauer, USFWS / Via flic.kr

    Mexican free-tailed bats- have the largest colonies of all bat species, and make up the largest congregation of mammals on earth at Bracken Cave in TX. These bats know how to throw a party and invite 10M of their closest friends...

    3. Virginia Big-eared bats: A cluster you can't break up

    Craig Stihler, WVDNR / Via flic.kr

    This group of healthy Virginia big-eared bats is hibernating. Can you even tell where one stops and the others start?

    4. Gray bats: A colony that hibernates together, sticks together

    Ann Froschauer, USFWS / Via flic.kr

    This cluster of hibernating gray bats (Myotis grisescens) demonstrate their closeness. No breaking them up!

    5. Vampire bats: No one goes hungry

    Josh More / Via flic.kr

    Vampire bats have complex social behaviors and including altruism. If another in their colony doesn't successfully get a meal, a friend will hoark one up and share.

    6. Rodrigues fruit bats: They help new mothers

    Photo used with permission by: San Diego Zoo Global / Via Flickr: sdzooglobal

    These bats almost look like teddy bears, so they have that going for them, but the males help the females when she's pregnant and about to give birth! Unrelated other females (read: friends!) will even assist pregnant females in during birth by soothing them while they are in labor.

    While I think bats should be everyone's #squadgoals, their squad is facing a number of serious threats. Specifically the bats that hibernate together are at risk for White Nose Syndrome and their populations are suffering greatly from this fungus. Bats may be my #squadgoals, but we need to spread the word about their importance and continue helping them live in the world as it changes. I guess you could say we're all part of the same squad, the planet earth dwelling squad-- and we have to help one another from time to time.

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