San Diego County is home to 23 different types of bats, including North America’s largest, the Western mastiff. Bats don’t have the best reputation, but they’re actually quite beneficial. Of our local species, all but two eat insects (including pesky mosquitoes), which helps crops thrive. Nectar-eating bats also help pollinate night-blooming flowers.
Have you heard the saying “blind as a bat?” It’s not exactly true. Bats aren’t blind, but neither do they rely on their eyesight. They emit sounds that bounce off objects and back to their ears. The process, called echolocation, allows bats to navigate in the dark and track down prey.
