batfacts3

Bat Facts

Page 3

Why are bats endangered?
There are many reasons why bats are in danger. One
reason is because they are losing their habitats.
Roosting sites, such as mines, are sometimes closed off,
which keeps the bats from being able to use them.
Forests that contain roosting trees are also
being destroyed by logging and clearing of forests.
It can take bats many years to establish new roosts.

This is a tree found in Southern Indiana being used
as a roosting tree for Indiana bats.
(photographs courtesy of Dr. Clark McCreedy)

If caves are entered during the time bats are
using them for hibernation then bats can die.
What happens is this...the bats are sleeping
for the winter. A person goes in and disturbs them.
They wake up. They use up more energy now that they
are awake. However, because it is winter they have
no insects to eat. So, they end up starving to death.
That is why many caves, like Wyandotte Caves, are closed
during hibernation time. There are signs posted on cave
entrances or even trees if they are determined to be
the roosting or hibernating home of bats.

This sign is placed in front of Wyandotte Caves
during the wintertime so hibernating Indiana bats
will not be disturbed.
(photo belongs to CES Media Club)

Of the twelve different species of bats in Indiana there are
four that are at the endangered status. They are the
Southeastern bat, the Evening bat, the Indiana bat, and
the Gray bat. Also, Rafinesque's Big-eared bat is listed as
a bat of Special Concern on the Indiana Department of
Natural Resources list. According to them this bat has not
been seen in Indiana in about twenty-five years.

Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat
(c) Merlin D. Tuttle,
Bat Conservation International