Bonaire Bats Do the Environment Good, Pass It On

There are eight know species of Bats living in caves around Bonaire, and two different varieties: nectar feeding and insect feeding. The nectar feeding Bats move throughout Bonaire at night like helper elves, pollinating all the trees and shrubs to ensure a healthy flora population. The insect feeding Bats fly around filling their cheeks with as many as 3000 pesky, blood sucking mosquitoes before calling it a night.

The bats and their caves are fragile and require urgent protection. Bats are the only native mammals on Bonaire. As with the many other at-risk or endangered species, their habitats are constantly at risk from human activity. Bats are no exception; with the increasing construction on Bonaire and their popularity with tourists on the rise, their homes are no longer a peaceful, albeit stinky place. Caving and bat-related tourism are emotional issue for Bonaire residents who see an increase in the demand for bat viewing; an activity which represents a risk to their fragile environments.

Outside of the caves, bats are not a threat to humans nor are they threatened by humans. The best time to catch a glimpse of these critters without endangering their populations is when the sun goes down, they're all over the island. Look for an unpopulated spot on the island where there are blooming flowers and watch them come in droves. The risk of being turned into a vampire is minimal.

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