Bats Are Falling To The Ground In NYC Parks, Officials Say

NEW YORK CITY — Mind where you step, New York City parkgoers — a bat might just be underfoot.

Bats have gone from flitting through the air to falling to the ground amid a recent cold snap, according to a tweet by the Central Park Conservancy.

"With cooler fall weather, bats have been seen on the ground in Central Park due to the shock from sudden cold," the conservancy tweeted.

"Please don't approach them."

But rest easy, bat fans.

This time of bat behavior isn't uncommon during the fall as temperatures swing wildly, the city's parks department tweeted.

"It gets too cold for their muscles and their activity slows. As temps rise throughout the day, so will their body temperature," the tweet states.

This behavior isn’t uncommon during the fall as temperatures fluctuate drastically. It gets too cold for their muscles and their activity slows. As temps rise throughout the day, so will their body temperature. Please report bats in need of care to our park rangers via @nyc311. https://t.co/jeyuq379NB
— NYC Parks (@NYCParks) November 16, 2022

Urban Park Rangers are trained to help bats in need, officials said.

New Yorkers who see a cold bat on the ground should report them to rangers by calling 311.