Arkansas Bats

Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area brings Ginger Pittman to talk bats (ROGERS, Ark.) – At 2 p.m., Sunday, October 5, 2025, Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area brings retired nephrology nurse, Ginger Pittman, to talk about her flying mammal friends, bats. Pittman, a licensed wildlife rehabber in Arkansas, is the first to tell us how bats contribute positively to the human population, and at the same time, how people negatively affect bats. Each night, bats eat more than 1,000 insects per hour, which amounts to 50 to 100 percent of their body weight. This computes to billions of dollars saved by not having to spray insecticides on the food that we eat. Pittman will discuss the reality of diseases carried by bats. Bats actually spend a significant amount of time cleaning themselves like cats do. Grooming removes parasites from their fur and wings, contributing to overall health. Bats even groom each other. The program will include additional fun bat facts. Many bat species live more than 30 years. Bat babies are called “pups.” Some medicines come from plants that rely on bats for their survival. One in four mammals is a bat. Bring the family and join Certified Bat Specialist, Pittman, to learn more about this important mammal. Ginger’s program is part of the Friends of Hobbs Speaker Series. For more information, call the park at 479-789-5000.