The Badge Archive

Bat Houses

Bat house projects help scouts support nighttime pollinators and insect-eating mammals by creating safe roosting spaces. These shelters give bats a place to rest during the day and raise their young, especially in areas where natural habitats are limited. Scouts learn about bat behavior, conservation, and how thoughtful design can protect important species while benefiting local ecosystems.

Possible Projects:

Learning About Bats

Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly, and they play a big role in keeping ecosystems healthy. Many bats eat insects (like mosquitoes and crop pests) which helps farmers and families. Others help pollinate plants and spread seeds, especially in tropical areas.

Bat Behavior:

  • Bats sleep during the day and come out at night (they are nocturnal).
  • They use a special skill called echolocation to find food and avoid obstacles.
  • Bats live in groups called colonies and often roost in trees, caves, or buildings.

Conservation Needs:

  • Some bat species are endangered because of habitat loss, disease (like white-nose syndrome), and fear or misunderstanding.
  • Helping bats means protecting their homes and teaching others that bats are helpful, not scary.

Thoughtful Design for Bat Houses:

  • Scouts and students can build bat houses to give bats a safe place to rest.
  • A good bat house is placed high off the ground, in a sunny spot, and near water or trees.
  • These houses help bats stay safe from predators and weather, and they support local ecosystems by encouraging bats to live nearby.

Hands-on Learning Resources:

Tia Kennard