The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is hosting its annual Bat Beauty Contest beginning on October 24 inviting the public to view and vote on images of wild bats shared on the agency’s social channels. Photographs are supplied by wildlife technicians and feature individuals from populations living on lands overseen by the BLM. The online vote runs through Bat Week (October 24-31) with the winner announced on October 31.
This lighthearted campaign aims to pair a bit of seasonal fun with conservation outreach. While the contest leans into puns and personality, it foregrounds real conservation topics and the natural history of the animals featured. Many of the contestants have memorable nicknames and distinctive faces or ears that make them compelling subjects for public engagement.
How the contest works and notable past contestants
The BLM posts each competing bat’s photo to its Facebook and Instagram accounts, and followers can cast votes online during the designated period. All images depict bats photographed in the wild on public lands managed by the agency. The winner is revealed at the close of voting, timed to coincide with Halloween on October 31.
Previous editions have paired whimsical monikers with taxonomic names to spark interest: for example, a hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) nicknamed “Hoary Potter” captured the title in 2024. Other memorable entries have included cleverly named Myotis individuals and two Myotis ciliolabrum photographed together. Note that the contest did not take place in 2025 due to a federal government shutdown that paused many public outreach programs.
Why Bat Week matters and the ecological value of bats
Bat Week is an annual awareness period running from October 24 to 31 that highlights the diversity and ecological functions of bats, the only mammals capable of sustained flight. The campaign emphasizes that bats are more than Halloween symbols: they act as essential agents in many ecosystems by consuming large numbers of insects, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds.
Some details help illustrate that value. One bat can consume a remarkable quantity of insects nightly, providing a natural form of pest control that benefits agriculture and forest health. Several species feed on nectar and fruit, transporting pollen and seeds across landscapes. A clear example of ecosystem services is the lesser long-nosed bat whose spring migrations along corridors of columnar cacti and agave plants help pollinate the agave flowers that are used to make tequila and mezcal.
Threats facing bat populations and conservation concerns
Despite their importance, many bat species face mounting pressures. Habitat loss and increasing light pollution degrade roosting and foraging habitats, while diseases pose severe risks. One of the most consequential threats in North America is white-nose syndrome a fungal disease that attacks the skin of hibernating bats—particularly the muzzle, ears, and wings. In roughly two decades the disease has killed millions of bats and now affects many species across the continent.
Misunderstandings about disease transmission also fuel fear; although bats can carry rabies, only a small fraction of individuals are infected. Public education efforts—like the Bat Beauty Contest—aim to reduce stigma and encourage informed attitudes toward coexisting with wildlife.
Scope of bat diversity and how to learn more
The planet supports over 1,400 bat species representing nearly 20 percent of all living mammal species. Bats occupy a wide range of habitats, from tropical forests to deserts and even some polar regions. For people curious about local species, resources tracking regional bat distributions can identify which species live nearby and provide natural history information.
Engaging with the contest is a simple way to connect: follow the BLM on social media beginning October 24 to view the competitors, cast your vote, and help choose the winner announced on October 31. Beyond the vote, the event serves as a reminder that these winged mammals are vital components of public lands and ecosystems across the country.
In addition to outreach, the BLM manages roughly 245 million acres of public land primarily across 12 western states, with responsibilities that include conserving wildlife habitat. Events like the Bat Beauty Contest combine public engagement with education about the lands and species the agency oversees.
