A bat with its wings spread and mouth open

Bat Week

Each year, we join our partners in celebrating bat week October 24-31! Bats are important to environmental health and the U.S. economy. They help pollinate and naturally control insect pests. Through partnerships, the BLM provides bat roosting and foraging habitat and supports other bat conservation efforts. The BLM also uses bat-friendly closures on abandoned mines to help bat populations.

2026 Bat Beauty Contest 

October 24-31, 2026 

It’s time to let these winged wonders take center stage! Celebrate Bat Week with the Bureau of Land management’s Bat Beauty Contest, featuring bats with plenty of personality, charm, and star power.  

From dazzling looks to names worthy of a Hollywood star, these batty contestants are ready for their moment in the spotlight.  

Meet the contestants 

Get to know our contestants! Check out the photos in the Meet the Contestants section below to see the bats competing for the crown and find your favorites!  

A Brownish gray fuzzy bat with Batty White as a title in white on a black background.
Diphylla ecaudata is the hairy‑legged vampire bat, a leaf‑nosed bat species found from Mexico through Central and South America

Credit:
Jose G. Martinez-Fonseca, Wildlife Photographer
A closeup of a red haired bat with Chappell Flown written in orange/red text on a black background.
Natalus mexicanus is the Mexican greater funnel‑eared bat, a small insectivorous species widely distributed from Mexico to Panama

Credit:
Jose G. Martinez-Fonseca, wildlife photographer
A fuzzy brown and black bat laying out on a rock with ChewBATca written in brown text on a grey background.
The big brown bat is found in virtually every American habitat ranging from timberline meadows to lowland deserts, though this species is most abundant in deciduous forest areas. It also is often abundant in suburban areas of mixed agricultural use.

Credit:
Hannah Cowan, ACE and BLM Utah
A gray fuzzy bat mid flight with Count Frostula written in white text on a black background
The hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) is one of North America’s largest and most widespread bats, recognized by its frosted brown-and-white fur and found across most of the continent.

Credit:
Cameron McQuivey, BLM Utah
Blonde and brown bat hanging from a cave ceiling
The Western small-footed bat is a small, dark brown bat with relatively small feet, which are a key identifying feature. This species is nocturnal and insectivorous, feeding primarily on moths, flies, caddisflies, and other small flying insects.

Credit:
BLM MTDAKs photo
A grey and brown bat with large ears hangs on the ceiling of a cave.
Townsend’s big‑eared bat is a North American vesper bat known for its extremely long ears, broad western range from British Columbia to Mexico, and preference for caves, mines, and abandoned buildings as roosts.

Credit:
John Larsen, BLM Utah
A close up of a white bat with large ears.
The pallid bat is a large, pale‑furred bat found from western Canada to central Mexico, notable for its big ears, ground‑gleaning hunting style.

Credit:
Emma Busk, BLM Oregon/Washington
Three grey bats huddled together hanging from the ceiling of a cave
Townsend’s big-eared bat's most typical habitat is arid western desert scrub and pine forest regions. These agile fliers venture out to forage only after dark, using their keen echolocation to hunt moths and other insects.

Credit:
Rebecca Urbanczk, BLM Nevada

From sea to shining sea 
Like Lady Libatty 
He reigns over skies with bugs 
And rules his cave with batty hugs! 

He's beauty and He's grace, 
The king of his place! 
He swoops through the night, 
And eats mosquitoes on sight! 

He's flying high, He's looking keen, 
He's your Bat Beauty King! 
With wings spread wide and a crown so bright,  
He's the fairest little bat of the night! Music 

Your 2026 Bat Beauty Contest Champion!

Close-up of a bat's face with large ears and detailed fur against a black background, adorned with a digital golden crown.
Hey Girl, Ryan GosWING just swooped in and claimed the Bat Beauty Contest crown! 🦇✨ 📸: Ryan GosWING, Pallid Bat, BLM Oregon-Washington, Emma Busk

He had us at “I’m just Bat.” This pallid bat heartthrob has stolen our hearts and flown straight into the winner’s circle. Looks like he’s officially the bat we can’t stop thinking about! But Ryan isn’t just a pretty face, bats are nature’s pest control, gobbling up insects that can damage crops. Some species even pollinate plants and spread seeds, making them the true stars of the night shift! 

Want to help bats shine? 
🌸 Plant native flowers 
🚫 Reduce pesticide use 
🔇 Keep noise levels low near roosts 
🦇 Avoid disturbing bats in their resting spots 

Every little bit helps these amazing creatures thrive! Thanks to everyone who voted and made this Bat Week a bat-tacular success. Happy Halloween! 🎃🦇