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FWC’s Bat Conservation Program

Home of the Florida Bat Force

FWC Logo, FWC Bat Force Logo, and clip art of a group of bats flying

Our 13 Florida bat species are ecologically and economically beneficial – they are nature’s superheroes!

Explore below to learn why.

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Bats save farmers millions

A single bat preys on hundreds of mosquitos and agricultural pests every night.

Florida’s native bats

In Florida, there are 13 native bat species. Learn more about each of our Florida bat species.

Bats are important parts of ecosystems

Across the globe, bats serve as pollinators and seed-dispersers and bring energy into cave ecosystems.

Bats are skilled fliers

The Brazilian free-tailed bat, found in Florida, can fly at 100mph, the fastest flying animal on earth!

Bats locate prey using echolocation

Bats use sound waves to navigate just like a submarine does, but bats do it completely naturally!

Bats are attentive mothers

Some have 3-4 pups and will carry them between roosts. Each pup is up to a third of their mother’s weight!

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About Bats

Bat biology, Florida bat species, myths debunked, educational resources, and more!

Learn More!

Bats Need Our Help!

Got Bats?

Our Bat Mission

Help Bats
Two tricolored bats hanging from ceiling
Living with Bats
Big eared bat crawling on cave wall looking at camera
Our Bat Mission
Group of Southeastern Myotis bats hanging from cave ceiling

Visit our How to Help Bats page to:

  • Learn about challenges facing bats in Florida and elsewhere.
  • Join the Florida Bat Force and make a difference.
  • Find other ways to help bats, including building bat houses, even from your own backyard.

Visit our Living with Bats page to:

  • Learn how to identify bats in buildings and what to do about them.
  • Learn about bats in other structures such as sheds.
  • Find information on how to properly exclude bats.

Visit our Bat Program Mission page to:

  • Read our agency goals for bat conservation.
  • Learn about our projects to monitor bat populations and hibernation sites.
  • Learn about our multi-agency collaboration to protect the Florida bonneted bat.
  • Discover ways you can help our mission.

Still have questions about bats?

Please call your FWC Regional Office to speak with a biologist.

Sick or Injured Bat? Contact a Florida Bat Rescue. 

Report unusually behaving or dead bats to the FWC through our Bat Mortality Reporting Form.