Description

What is the bat plush?

An 8-inch plush bat with a 17-inch wingspan, part of The Petting Zoo’s Wild Onez line. The Wild Onez line is built around recycled materials: each toy is made from an average of 17 recycled plastic bottles, and the company keeps roughly 15 million bottles out of landfills every year through this program.

This bat is a generic brown bat representation rather than a species-specific replica. It pairs naturally with a visit to Wind Cave National Park or Jewel Cave National Monument, both of which protect bat colonies inside their cave systems.

Why bats matter at Wind Cave and Jewel Cave

Jewel Cave National Monument is home to roughly 10 bat species, including the Townsend’s big-eared bat (the dominant hibernating species) and the Northern myotis (a species federally listed as endangered in 2022). The 2023-2024 mid-winter survey counted 602 hibernating bats inside Jewel Cave, up from 570 the year before. In 2018, the count exceeded 1,400. Park resource management staff conduct the annual survey to track population trends and watch for early signs of disease.

Wind Cave National Park’s above-ground prairie and ponderosa pine forest also support several bat species. Bats provide insect control across the Black Hills ecosystem, eating beetles, moths, mosquitoes, and other insects that would otherwise affect both visitors and local agriculture.

The historic entrance at Jewel Cave (the original opening where Frank and Albert Michaud noticed wind rushing from a small hole in 1900) is now gated to protect hibernating bats. The gate lets bats pass through freely while keeping people out from October through May. The design has served as a model for bat-friendly gates at other cave sites.

What’s included

• One 8-inch bat plush with a 17-inch wingspan (The Petting Zoo, Wild Onez line)
• Fill made from an average of 17 recycled plastic bottles
• “Recycles & Educates” hang tag with sustainability information

Specifications

• Size: 8″ body, 17″ wingspan
• Weight: 4.1 oz
• Material: Recycled plastic bottle fill, plush exterior
• Care: Surface washable
• Age rating: Ages 3 and up
• Manufacturer: The Petting Zoo (Wild Onez line)
• UPC: 0840076212446

Who is this for?

Kids who picked it up at the Wind Cave or Jewel Cave visitor center because they thought the wingspan was cool. The 17-inch wingspan is what sets this plush apart from a basic brown blob; you can hold it open like a real bat in flight.

Gift buyers who want something tied to a real place. A plush from The Petting Zoo’s Wild Onez line is more than a generic stuffed animal because the recycled-bottle origin and the cave context give you something to talk about.

Visitors who just took a Wild Caving Tour or a Historic Lantern Tour and want a memento that connects to the cave system itself rather than the gift shop in general.

About white-nose syndrome

White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans. It was first detected in New York in 2006 and has killed over 5.7 million bats across North America in the years since. The fungus attacks bats during hibernation, when their body temperatures drop and their immune systems slow down. The Northern myotis, one of the species present at Jewel Cave, is among the species hit hardest nationally.

Both Wind Cave NP and Jewel Cave NM monitor their bat populations specifically to detect any outbreak early. Visitors are required to participate in screening at the visitor center before guided cave tours, which helps prevent the fungus from being introduced on shoes or clothing from other infected caves.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the bat plush?
8 inches from nose to tail with a 17-inch wingspan. Weighs 4.1 oz, light enough to fit in a child’s backpack or a park tote bag.

What is it made of?
The fill is made from an average of 17 recycled plastic bottles. The exterior is plush fabric. Surface washable only (wipe with a damp cloth, do not machine wash).

What age is this appropriate for?
Ages 3 and up. The Wild Onez line meets U.S. toy safety standards for this age range.

Are bats actually found at Wind Cave and Jewel Cave?
Yes. Jewel Cave National Monument supports approximately 10 bat species and conducts an annual mid-winter hibernation survey. Wind Cave National Park’s prairie and forest above ground also host several bat species. You can sometimes spot bats flying near cave entrances at dusk during summer months.

Can I see the bats inside the cave?
The hibernating colonies are not viewable on guided tours. Caves are closed to visitors from October through May specifically to protect the bats. From May through October, the Scenic Tour, Historic Lantern Tour, and Wild Caving Tour are available at Jewel Cave. Visit nps.gov/jeca or nps.gov/wica for current tour schedules.

What is white-nose syndrome and does it affect bats here?
White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease that has killed millions of bats across North America. Both Wind Cave and Jewel Cave monitor their bat populations to detect any outbreak early. Visitor screening at cave tours helps prevent the fungus from being introduced on shoes or clothing.

Is there a larger bat plush available?
Yes. BHPFA also carries the Adopt-A-Bat Plush (12″) at $35, with $20 of each purchase going directly to bat resource management at Jewel Cave National Monument.

Does buying this support national parks?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.