BATS

Maryland has ten species of bats. Some live in Maryland all year long while others migrate to Maryland in the spring and fall. Some species live in groups called colonies while others prefer to live alone or in small families.

Bats are the only mammals that can fly using their hands, which are also their wings. Bats have sharp tiny teeth that are designed for eating insects, a mainstay of their diet. However, they are generally not known to be aggressive to humans.

The occasional lone bat that may enter a house during warmer months in Maryland is usually a younger bat that simply made a mistake in their navigating. Their instinct will likely lead them to investigate new areas throughout the house.

The majority of bats that humans encounter are healthy, but bats can contract illness and carry diseases. Some of the diseases that infect bats may also be transmitted to people, although it is rare. Rabies and histoplasmosis are the most critical public health issues to consider when dealing with bats.