Animal pollinators play a vital role in the world’s ecosystem services and ensure the continued survival of hundreds and thousands of plant species. When we think about the pollination of plants, the first animals that come to mind are usually bees and butterflies. Even birds receive their due credit for their pollination work. Yet, bats are often overlooked despite their significant contributions.

Bats are one of the most significant pollinators for some species of mangroves. Moreover, their nocturnal nature means that bats are key pollinators for night-blooming flowers. This is especially since nocturnal flowers tend to have paler blooms, whereas bees are generally attracted to brighter-coloured flowers. In fact, over 500 species of plants rely on bats for pollination. Some of these include cocoa, mango, guava and also the iconic durian.