Halloween movies often portray bats as terrifying, disease-ridden creatures of the night, but in reality, they're often sweet, affectionate animals—almost like little dogs… with wings.
Take Eddie, for example.
Eddie was a tiny, premature fruit bat (also known as a flying fox) found at a theme park. He was rescued by wildlife nurse and bat rehabilitator Rhi, who believed Eddie had fallen from his mother while she was flying. Flying foxes cling to their mother's belly during flight, and being born early likely prevented Eddie from having the strength to hold on.
As Eddie recovered, his true personality began to shine through—one that mirrored a puppy's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmkLCRxovIw
Like a dog, Eddie was loving, emotional, and even learned his name. He also adored belly rubs and would get jealous when other bats received attention.
Bats, like dogs, are social creatures. According to Rhi, they need plenty of love when they're babies and form strong bonds with those they consider their mothers. That's why Eddie grew so attached to his caretaker.
Despite his puppy-like behavior, Eddie was still a bat who needed to return to the wild. Thankfully, Rhi’s aviary releases its residents when they're ready, and Eddie eventually flew off on his own. Yet, whenever Rhi gazes at the night sky, she wonders if she spots him soaring through it. Eddie’s impact on Rhi was as profound as that of a beloved pet.
Bats are often misunderstood, but they're not nearly as menacing as we think (for example, the chance of contracting rabies from a bat is extremely rare). They're also crucial to the environment in ways we might not realize.
Fruit and nectar-eating bats are the sole pollinators for over 500 flower species across 67 plant families, many of which have medicinal uses. And, of course, they help pollinate the agave plant—key to producing tequila. Bats are true “party animals.”
Bats also play a vital role in pest control. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that insect-eating bats save over $1 billion annually in crop damage and pesticide costs, particularly in the corn industry. The total savings across all agricultural production is more than $3 billion each year.
All of this—and they're adorable? Bats definitely deserve a rebranding.