BATS By: April Ferguson

Appearance n Bats are small. n Their bodies are mouselike. n Their faces are wrinkled. n Their claws are gasping, ears pointed like horns. n Long tails.

How to Build a bat house n A bat house designed by Bat Conservation International combines relative ease of construction with the varied crevice sizes most often used by American bats and temperature buffering features. Western red cedar is recommended for its ability to withstand outdoor exposure,though many other woods are suitable. Six feet of 1x12- inch board and 10 feet of 1x10-inch board are sufficient for construction

Use rough lumber and turn the rough sides of the roof, front, back, and sides inward. The rough side of the ceiling should face down. Cut 1/16-inch horizontal grooves at 1/2 inch intervals on the smooth sides of all partitions

Beneficial Bats n World-wide there are 1,000 species. n 70% of all bats feed on insects,includin g agricultural pests. n A single bat can eat up to 3,000 insects in one night n Fruit feeding bats play a vital role in re- growth of rain forests. n Fruit-eating bats spread seed as they fly and digest their food.

Bats are Unique n Bats are the only flying mammal. n Scientists have classified them into a unique order all their own called “Chiroptera” which means “hard wing”. n Bats literally fly with their hands. n Bats are not blind. n They have ultrasonic capabilities which help them navigate in darkness.

Threats To Survival n Bats are disappearing at an alarming rate. n Disturbance of roosting sights due to development and vandalism are the greatest threats to the world’s bats. n Much of this is due to the ignorance and misunderstanding.