A Captivating New Book about the World of Bats
November 20, 2025
Bats are often misunderstood, but a new book is helping change that. In The Genius Bat: The Secret Life of the Only Flying Mammal, neuroscientist
Are you looking for gifts that delight bat lovers while supporting conservation and education? From beautifully illustrated picture books for young readers to behind-the-scenes storytelling, wearable advocacy, and fun collectibles, we’ve put together some batty holiday gift ideas that celebrate bats — and the people working to protect them.
For Young Bat Lovers
Bats Beneath the Bridge by Janet Nolan, illustrated by Emily Cox, is an award-winning nonfiction picture book selected for the 2025 Illinois State Reading List. Young readers will discover how Merlin Tuttle and his team’s education campaign helped the residents of Austin, Texas, overcome fear of the bats living beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge — and learn to love their nocturnal neighbors.
As Merlin writes in the book’s foreword, “This is the story of what the people of Austin, Texas, learned about the bats.” With engaging storytelling and warm illustrations, this book is perfect for curious kids who love animals, science, and stories with heart.
Also great for middle-grade readers is Bridge to Bat City by Ernest Cline, a fast-paced, bat-centered adventure inspired by the famous Austin bridge bats. It’s a fun way to spark interest in bats through fiction while reinforcing the magic of real-world conservation success stories.
For Curious Minds (and Grown-Up Bat Fans)
For readers who want to dive deeper, The Secret Lives of Bats: My Adventures with the World’s Most Misunderstood Mammals by Merlin Tuttle offers an unforgettable journey into bat biology, behavior, and conservation. Part memoir, part science storytelling, this book is packed with firsthand adventures and eye-opening insights that will change how readers see bats forever.
This makes a perfect gift for nature lovers, wildlife photographers, science enthusiasts, or anyone who enjoys learning how curiosity and persistence can reshape public opinion and protect wildlife.
Wear Your Bat Love
Give a gift that helps you spread awareness everywhere it goes. Apparel and accessories from our online store let supporters wear their bat pride, while directly supporting conservation work. From cozy hoodies to everyday tees, these items make great gifts for friends, family, or yourself.
Small Gifts, Big Impact
Looking for stocking stuffers or add-on gifts? Our 10-Year Anniversary Stickers are fun, eye-catching, and perfect for water bottles, laptops, notebooks, and more. They’re a small way to show big support for bat conservation — and a great conversation starter.
You can also find unique bat photography merchandise — including prints and other photo-based gifts — by visiting our photo merchandise shop (Leadership members and above get a 10% discount on photo merch). For even more inspiration, browse our full photo gallery, featuring stunning images captured during decades of fieldwork around the world.
Gifts That Matter
Whether you’re shopping for a young bat lover, an avid reader, or a dedicated conservation supporter, these batty holiday gift ideas do more than bring joy — they help share the importance of bats and the people working to protect them. Every book read, shirt worn, and sticker shared helps replace fear with understanding and inspires the next generation of bat advocates. You can explore all of our merchandise anytime by visiting our main store page.
For a gift that lasts beyond the holidays, consider becoming a member of Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation — or gifting a membership to someone who loves bats. Memberships support our mission and include benefits such as discounts and special updates. Learn more about our membership options on our “Donate” page.
Happy holidays — and happy bat gifting!
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Daniel Hargreaves is a lifelong bat conservationist who has worked globally to facilitate progress, including co-founding Trinibats, a non-profit bat conservation organization in Trinidad. He has organized and led field workshops worldwide, including five for MTBC. Following a long and successful career in business, he now manages a network of bat reserves for the Vincent Wildlife Trust in the UK, supervising research and development of new and innovative conservation techniques. Daniel also is one of the world’s premier bat photographers.
Madelline Mathis has a degree in environmental studies from Rollins College and a passion for wildlife conservation. She is an outstanding nature photographer who has worked extensively with Merlin and other MTBC staff studying and photographing bats in Mozambique, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Texas. Following college graduation, she was employed as an environmental specialist for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. She subsequently founded the Florida chapter of the International DarkSky Association and currently serves on the board of DarkSky Texas. She also serves on the board of Houston Wilderness and was appointed to the Austin Water Resource Community Planning Task Force.
Michael Lazari Karapetian has over twenty years of investment management experience. He has a degree in business management, is a certified NBA agent, and gained early experience as a money manager for the Bank of America where he established model portfolios for high-net-worth clients. In 2003 he founded Lazari Capital Management, Inc. and Lazari Asset Management, Inc. He is President and CIO of both and manages over a half a billion in assets. In his personal time he champions philanthropic causes. He serves on the board of Moravian College and has a strong affinity for wildlife, both funding and volunteering on behalf of endangered species.