Bat Appreciation Month in Charleston, SC

A look at some of the bats that call Charleston their home.

CHStoday: big brown bat

The big brown bat can be found as far south as Colombia.

Photo via Pexels

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 Lowcountry:

🦇 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.

More from CHStoday
The latest nostalgic trend has people looking back at photos from a decade ago. What was Charleston like?
Move aside pickleball, there’s a new racket sport in town.
The bread type is more popular than ever. We’re here to help you find the best loves in the Holy City, or to start making your own.
We asked readers to send us photos of their Charleston-resident pets, and they delivered. Here’s our roundup of Holy City pups.
Dozens of local eateries are taking part, and we’re here to give you the lowdown on the Lowcountry’s best deals.
Different cities and regions have plenty of localized menu items. Now it’s time for cookies to join the fray.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Dining in the Holy City is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
Hit the road and head to Savannah — we’re sharing all the details about what to do and eat, plus where to stay.
The concept is taking over South Korea’s capital city. We’re thinking about where we’d copy it in the Holy City.