Gray-headed flying fox, Victoria, Australia

Hanging in there. Bat Week

Bat Week shines a spotlight on some of the world's most important and often misunderstood mammals. Observed each October, the event celebrates the vital role bats play in healthy ecosystems across the globe. As pollinators, seed dispersers, and natural pest controllers, they support forests, farms, and food supplies. Some can consume thousands of insects in a single night, helping reduce the need for pesticides. With more than 1,500 species found worldwide, bats are the only mammals capable of sustained flight, making them one of nature's most impressive success stories.

Today's image features a gray-headed flying fox in Victoria, Australia. Despite their foxlike faces, flying foxes are fruit bats rather than insect hunters. Their keen eyesight and strong sense of smell help them locate blossoms and fruit, while their long-distance journeys spread pollen and seeds across the landscape. Hanging upside down between flights, this large bat looks perfectly at home. During Bat Week, it serves as a fitting ambassador for these remarkable nighttime navigators.