Outreach Programs and the Arizona StandardsDepending on the grade level of your class, this docent-conducted Outreach program will coversome or all of the following Arizona Standards:
Arizona Science StandardsStandard 1: Science as Inquiryo 1SC-R2. Ask questions about the natural worldo 1SC-R6. Communicate observations and comparisons through various meanso 1SC-F4. Describe relationships among parts of a familiar system
Standard 3: Personal and Social Perspectives in Science and Technologyo 3SC-F3. Describe and explain the interrelationship of populations, resources and
environmentso 3SC-P4. Identify and describe the basic processes of the natural ecosystems and how
these processes affect, and are affected by, humanso 3SC-P5. Describe and explain factors that affect population size and growth (e.g.,
quality of environment)
Standard 4: Life Scienceo 4SC-R1. Distinguish living from non-living thingso 4SC-R2. Describe the basic needs of living organismso 4SC-R3. Recognize and distinguish similarities and differences in diverse specieso 4SC-F1. Describe and explain cause-and-effect relationships in living systemso 4SC-F2. Trace the life cycles of various organismso 4SC-F3. Identify the basic structures and functions of plants and animalso 4SC-F4. Identify characteristics of plants and animals (including extinct organisms)
that allow them to live in specific environmentso 4SC-F7. Explain the interaction of living and non-living components within
ecosystemso 4SC-E1. Construct classification systems based on the structure of organismso 4SC-E7. Explain and model the interaction and interdependence of living and non-
living components within ecosystems, including the adaptation of plants and animalsto their environment
Information for Teachers and Suggested ActivitiesInformation for Teachers and Suggested ActivitiesInformation for Teachers and Suggested ActivitiesInformation for Teachers and Suggested ActivitiesInformation for Teachers and Suggested Activities
The purpose of the attached material is to introduce you and yourstudents to Tohono Chul Park's Outreach program — Bats: Flying
Aces. The materials are offered as preparation for our presentation,and as ideas for additional activities in your classroom. These aresuggestions only, but we hope that you will incorporate them into aunit on bats, mammals in general, or animals of the Sonoran Desert. Ifyou have any questions, please give us a call at 742-6455 x 228.
Bat Myths — Fact or Folklore?Bat Myths — Fact or Folklore?Bat Myths — Fact or Folklore?Bat Myths — Fact or Folklore?Bat Myths — Fact or Folklore?
Bats are blind.Bats are flying rodents.
Bats will attack you and get caught in your hair.Bats are dirty, disease-ridden animals that will give you rabies.
Bats feed on the blood of their victims.Bats are powerful magic and can make you invisible,
or help you see in the dark.Bats are evil.
see page 24 for the answers
Bat FactsBat FactsBat FactsBat FactsBat Facts
✔ Did you know — the world’s smallest mammal is the bumblebee bat of Thailand.It weighs less than one penny. Giant flying fox bats in Indonesia, on the other hand,have wing spans of almost six feet!
✔ One little brown bat can catch and eat around 600 mosquitoes per hour, while the20 million Mexican free-tailed bats in Bracken Cave, Texas, eat 250 tons of insectseach night.
✔ Bats play key roles in pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds for many ecosys-tems from tropical rainforests to deserts. They also are the main pollinators for awide variety of agricultural plants from bananas and breadfruit to dates and figs.
✔ Anticoagulants in the saliva of vampire bats is being tested for use in treatingheart patients. Bats’ echolocation abilities have also been studied to provide newinsights into technologies for the blind.
✔ More than 50% of American bat species are in severe decline or are alreadylisted as endangered. Bats are very vulnerable to extinction in part because of theirslow reproductive rates (the slowest among the mammals for their size) and be-cause of roost disturbance, the loss of habitat, and the use of pesticides.
✔ Bats are Arizona’s flying mammals. The state plays host to 28 species, withwingspans ranging from six to 20 inches. That number makes them the second mostdiverse group of mammals in the state, only rodents are more diverse.
What’s a Mammal?What’s a Mammal?What’s a Mammal?What’s a Mammal?What’s a Mammal?
Fossil records indicate that early mammals descended from reptiles and remained asmall and insignificant group until the giant reptiles died out at the end of the Creta-ceous Period (65 million years ago). By the beginning of the Cenozoic Era, whichfollowed, and continuing into the present time, mammals began to proliferate anddiversify. Due to the steady increase in significance of mammals during the past 63million years, the Cenozoic Era is referred to as the Age of Mammals. There aretoday some 4,300 species of the class Mammalia; almost 75% of which are ro-dents, bats, shrews and moles (rodents — 40%, bats — 24%); man, just one spe-cies, accounts for only .0025%!
Mammals, belonging to the class Mammalia, are vertebrates (having a backbone orvertebral column). They can be distinguished by their skeletal structure. Regardlessof the size of the mammal, most species have seven cervical vertebrae. They havefewer skullbones than other animals, the brain being protected by a cranium, and thelower jaw composed of a single bone.
Other anatomical differences characterize mammals. They have four-chamberedhearts, which mean more oxygen can be carried in the blood; as well as a dia-phragm, which separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity, and allowsmore air to enter the lungs. Mammals are endothermic (warm-blooded) - having theability to raise body temperatures above the surrounding environmental conditionsby means of their internal metabolism. Because the body temperature remains con-stant, there is a higher tolerance for changes in environmental temperatures andthus an increased chance for survival under demanding conditions. Ectothermic ani-mals (reptiles and amphibians) must depend on just the right environmental condi-tions in order to be active. Endothermy is considered a major factor in the evolution-ary success of mammals. The cost of such progress is the need to consume signifi-cant amounts of fuel (food) to generate the needed heat.
Mammalian young feed on milk produced by specialized mammary glands in thefemale of the species. Mammals possess other types of glands in addition to thosethat produce milk. Oil glands produce fluids that lubricate the skin and hair. Sweatglands produce sweat, a mixture of salts and water, which cools the body as itevaporates from the skin. Scent glands produce substances used for communica-tion. Some scent glands, as in the case of skunks, are used for defense. All mam-mals have mammary glands, but not all of them have oil, sweat or scent glands.
With the possible exception of mature whales, only mammals possess true hair;though other animals and even some plants have hair-like structures. Hair aids in avariety of functions; it helps in the retention of body heat and, by its association withoil-producing glands in the skin, it can be coated with oil to aid in waterproofing.Some specialized hairs provide protection; hair around eyes, nose and ears can keepdirt out; a porcupine’s defensive quills are modified hairs. Hair, especially by its
coloration, can aid in recognition, thereby figuring significantly in territorial demarca-tion and mating. Some hairs aid in sensation, e.g., whiskers (vibrissae) on cats. Haircan vary widely from mammal to mammal - sheep’s wool, beaver’s pelt, cat’s fur.Hair will also vary on different parts of the mammal’s body and at different times ofthe year, changing colors or shedding seasonally.
The final factor in determining the evolutionary success of mammals is in their well-developed brains. Complexity of brain function and capacity for memory storage aredirectly related to, and dependent on, endothermy. The well-developed brain enablesmammals to exhibit complex social behaviors and abilities.
BatsBatsBatsBatsBats
Bats belong to the order Chiroptera, meaning “hand-wing.” They comprise the sec-ond largest order of mammals (almost ¼ of all mammals species), containing nearly1,000 species. The only mammals capable of true flight, bats are found worldwidein temperate and tropical zones, missing only from the polar regions and some is-lands. Bats have existed for at least 50 million years and though many people mis-takenly assume they are related to rodents, they are actually closer to primates.
There are two major groups (sub-orders) of bats: megabats (Megachiroptera) andmicrobats (Microchiroptera). Megabats consist of only one family (Pteropodidae)with approximately 166 species — these are the Old World fruit bats found in thetropics, called flying foxes because of their fox-like faces. They are larger and havebetter eyesight. Ears are simple, and all but one species have claws on the seconddigit of the wing. Eating fruit, nectar or pollen, they are classed as frugivores (23%of all bats) and nectarivores (5% of bats). Megabats do not hibernate.
There are 16 families (759 species) of microbats (Microchiroptera). Found world-wide, they are smaller, relying on their ears more than their eyes.These externalears are large and complex, generally featuring an enlarged tragus (cartilaginousstructure found above the ear notch) believed to be used for echolocation. Themajority of microbat species are insectivores eating insects, spiders and other arach-nids (about 70% of all bat species are insectivores); others are carnivores (.7% ofbats), feeding on reptiles, rodents, fish, birds and other bats; some are nectarivoresor frugivores; and, only three species are sanguivores (3/10 of 1% of bats), feedingon the blood of other animals. Of the 28 species in Arizona, all but two are insecti-vores. Microbats usually hibernate.
BAT ANATOMYBAT ANATOMYBAT ANATOMYBAT ANATOMYBAT ANATOMY — with thanks to BCI
Students can label bat body parts on the drawing on page 5. Whichparts of a bat’s anatomy are similar to those found in other mam-mals? Which are like those of humans? Both man and bats have fourfingers and a thumb, but how long is a student’s armspan comparedto a bat’s wingspan? How much do your students weigh comparedto a bat? If insectivorous bats eat ½ their weight in insects eachnight, how many McDonald’s ¼ lb. hamburgers would one of yourstudents need to eat (student's weight x .5 x 4)? A bat can beat itswings 12 times per second. How fast can a student flap his/herarms in a second?
Try transferring this diagram to a larger, bulletin board size formatand include detailed information on each body part and its adaptiveuses. Have students research different species of bats from otherenvironments and draw examples of other anatomical adaptations,types of nose leaves, etc. and relate the adaptations to the varietyof habitats they live in and the different kinds of food they eat.
What’s Different on a Bat? What’s the Same on YOU?TRAGUS THUMBNOSE LEAF 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th FINGERSCALCAR UPPER ARM, ELBOW, FOREARMINTERFEMORAL MEMBRANE LEGWING MEMBRANE FOOT, TOES, CLAWSKNEE HEAD, BODYTAIL EYE, EAR
Bat’s wings are actually modified arms — large upper arm bones connected to shoul-ders and long forearms with fingers that have stretched to form the foundation ofthe wing. Some wings are long and narrow for speed, others are shorter and broaderfor greater maneuverability when hovering to feed. All bats have a thumb, whichappears at the leading edge of the wing. Most bats have a variable-sized claw onthis thumb which is used for climbing, handling food, and fighting. The other fingersof the “hand” support the wing itself. A membrane of two thin layers of skin coversthe fingers and forearms. It contains blood vessels, visible when the wing is stretchedopen, and muscles that control the curvature of the wing in flight. Special valves inthe blood vessels allow the bat to control the supply of blood circulating in its wings.This helps the animal to cool down after flying all night. Remarkably strong andresilient, the wing membrane, about as thin as a rubber glove, heals quickly if torn ordamaged. This wing membrane extends along the side of the body from the shoulderto the shorter hindlegs and feet. In some bat species the membrane partially orcompletely covers the area between the hindlegs, called the interfemoral membraneor uropatagium. It is supported by the calcar, a bony ankle spur. This membrane mayalso enclose the bat’s tail, but some species have no membrane at all, and somehave no tail. The interfemoral membrane is used to help catch insects just like abutterfly net.
Bats legs are short and their knees bend backwards or to the side; their toes curlforward rather than back. These adaptations help the bat to maneuver when theyare not flying and when they roost upside down. Why do bats hang upside down?Flying animals must be as lightweight as possible and bats have evolved variousways to limit their weight such as wings that are covered with skin membranes andtiny leg bones that are incapable of supporting the bat’s weight in an upright posi-tion. Hanging upside down, the body weight is suspended, enabling the fragile bonesto support more weight. Some bats begin flapping their wings while still hangingfrom their perch to get a lift into the air, other bats need to “fall” into flight, pickingup speed and using less energy to get itself airborne. A few species can actuallytake off from the ground.
Contrary to popular myth, bats are not blind, but rather have excellent vision. Mostnavigate with echolocation, or sonar, which is produced from vibrations in the vocalchords. Beyond the range of human hearing, pulses of ultra-high frequency sound areemitted approximately 10-20 times per second when a bat is searching for prey.Bats listen to the pattern of returning echoes and obtain precise information thatenables them to avoid obstacles and accurately locate, track and capture movingprey in a matter of milliseconds. As the hunter approaches its target, the frequencydoubles, creating a “feeding buzz.” The system is so sensitive that bats can “hear”an insect’s footsteps, “feel” the changes in air currents made by its beating wings,
BAT AND MOTH GAMEBAT AND MOTH GAMEBAT AND MOTH GAMEBAT AND MOTH GAMEBAT AND MOTH GAME — with thanks to BCI
If you’ve ever played “Marco Polo,” you can devise a simple demon-stration of echolocation. Designate one student to be a BAT. Blind-fold him/her and have them stand in the center of a loose circlemade by the other students in the class, all of whom are MOTHS.The object is for the bat to use his/her echolocation to find andcapture a moth for dinner. The BAT calls out “bat” repeatedly as he/she moves around the circle searching for prey. MOTHS are al-lowed to begin moving about, but whenever the BAT gets close, theMOTH must respond to the BAT’S calls with “moth.” The faster theBAT calls, the faster the MOTH must respond, thereby giving awayhis/her position. By following the sound of the students’ voices, theBAT can zero in on the MOTH and tag/capture it.
A variation on this adds the element of avoidance. Designate threeor four students as TREES. They will sit on chairs about 6' apart sothat the BAT and MOTHS can easily move between them. Blindfoldthe BAT first, then have the TREES take their places so BAT doesn’tknow where they are. The MOTHS then scatter among the TREES.The BAT calls “bat” as he/she hunts for insect prey. Again, theMOTHS must respond with “moth” as the BAT draws near. TheTREES must also respond with “tree.” If the BAT bumps into a treehe/she is out of the hunt. This time the BAT can focus his/her call byspreading their arms wide or pulling them in closer to the body.Wide-spread arms indicate a wide beam and several TREES or MOTHSmay respond when in the vicinity of the BAT. As BAT gets closer tohis/her prey, he/she may pull their arms in closer to the body so onlyTREES and MOTHS directly in his/her path will respond. The hunt isover when a MOTH is tagged.
For older students, assign two students to be data collectors. Stageseveral hunts with timed limits (perhaps 60 seconds each) and usedifferent students as BATS. Begin each hunt by calling “dusk” andending each with “dawn.” For each hunt, there is no limit on thenumber of MOTHS a BAT can capture. Data collectors keep trackof the number available and the number caught during each timedhunt. After all the tests are complete, an average can be taken todetermine which BAT was the most successful hunter. OBSERVERS
and “see” an obstacle in the dark as fine as a human hair! Some moths hear a bat’secholocation clicks and will “jam” them with its own sonic noises in order to confusethe bat and escape being eaten.
Bat hearts, which are large for the size of their bodies, beat 700 times per minute;1,100 times per minute while flying. Flying generates excess body heat and flying atnight makes sense for an animal that uses up so much energy. When not in flight,bats exist in a state of torpor, lowered activity like hibernation. With such a highmetabolism, bats must eat constantly while they are active. In Arizona, two tropicalspecies are nectar feeders (Mexican long-tongued and lesser long-nosed bats) andall the rest eat insects.
Nectarivores — Several species of plants have co-evolved with bats, particularlysaguaro and organ pipe cactus, and agaves. Bats frequently serve plant communi-ties at night in much the same way as birds and hummingbirds do during the day.Nectarivorous bats migrate from Mexico, arriving in southern Arizona in early Mayjust as the saguaros begin to bloom. Bat flowers are sturdy, white, open at night andhave the heavy scent of over-ripe fruit. They pollinate the flowers while searchingfor nectar with their long, bristly tongues. rains of pollen stick to their fur on head,neck and shoulders as they push their snouts deep into the flowers. The pollen isthan transferred from plant to plant. Pollen is consumed by the bats as they groomthemselves, providing protein and essential amino acids.
Nectar-feeding, and some insect-feeding bats, also eat cactus fruits, assisting in thedispersal of seeds over wide areas. A decline in bat populations can mean a corre-sponding decline in plant species dependent on bats for pollination and/or the dis-persal of seeds.
Insectivores — Around the world, bats are the single most important natural enemyof night-flying insects. By hunting at night, competition for insect prey from insect-eating birds is eliminated. Twenty-six species of bats in Arizona eat insects, from ¼
BAT AND MOTH continuedBAT AND MOTH continuedBAT AND MOTH continuedBAT AND MOTH continuedBAT AND MOTH continuedcan also be added who can record BAT and MOTH behavior duringthe hunts. What were successful hunting strategies (speeding upthe frequency of calls or listening for other sounds from the MOTHlike footsteps)? Successful avoidance strategies (MOTHS hidingbehind trees or moving out the BAT’S “range”)? How did BATS andMOTHS behave?
By extension, try the hunts again but this time determine that theMOTHS cannot hear the BATS calls, only respond to them. In otherwords, no moving out of the way when the BAT is approaching.Calculate the differences in the number of MOTHS caught thistime. How do the two tests compare? Why the difference?
BAT FOOD CLUESBAT FOOD CLUESBAT FOOD CLUESBAT FOOD CLUESBAT FOOD CLUES — with thanks to BCI
Distribute sets of Bats Adapt for Food cards (pp. 26-29) to groups ofsix or more students. Each student in a group should get familiarwith one of the bat feeding strategies. After sufficient time for study,read the Bat Food Clue questions and have each group discussamongst themselves the answer and decide which feeding habit ap-plies. The first group to raise its hands, gets to answer the question.If correct, go on to the next question, if not, select another group toanswer. Points can be awarded for correct answers. Use the addi-tional questions to spark further discussion.
By extension, have students investigate similar strategies amongbirds. Birds that catch insects in the air vs. those that glean insectsfrom the ground; birds that capture prey with their beaks and talonsvs. those that probe for worms in the mud. Create a bulletin boardthat compares and contrasts the food habits and adaptations of thesetwo flying animals.
Bats are very clean, grooming themselves, much like a household cat, with theirtongues and feet. Young bats will cling to their mothers with their toes and milkteeth. Mother then folds her wings around her youngster, both hanging upside down.Mothers will leave their young clinging to the roost perch when they go out to feedat night. Returning to the roost, they use calls and smell to locate the right infant.
In turn, bats are the prey of raptors such as hawks and owls, snakes, and predatorssuch as bobcats, raccoons and domestic cats. But man is perhaps the number oneenemy.
Arizona is host to such a large number of bat species because of the variety ofhabitats the state can offer - canyons, caves, old mine shafts, rock slides and crev-ices can all serve as roosting and hibernation sites. Water is also a requirement forthese small mammals. Most bats will fly to a water source first thing upon leavingtheir roost each evening. Skimming low over the surface, they will gulp a mouthfulat a time.
to ½ their weight each day, or one every few seconds; and they eat the kind ofinsects humans would rather have less of— gnats, mosquitoes, moths and beetles.Some bats (greater Western mastiff bat) locate their prey by echolocation and thenfly after it. Other species (long-eared myotis) glean for insects off of vegetation,scanning plants and then dropping down from the sky to capture their meal. A fewbats (pallid bat) fly close to the ground searching for food. Captured prey is eaten onthe ground or taken to a nearby perch.
Migration and HibernationMigration and HibernationMigration and HibernationMigration and HibernationMigration and Hibernation
Where winters are cold, bats will migrate or go into hibernation. Long distancemigrations may take certain species from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico as theseasons change. Those who choose to remain through the cold weather will find acave, mine shaft or even attic to “hang out” for up to six months. These locationsmay be up to 300 miles away from their summer regions. Bats are creatures of habitand will return time and again to the same hibernation sites. During this time, thetiny creatures live off of fat reserves stored in their bodies, heart rates slow to only30 beats per minute and body temperatures drop from a normal 100° to almost 32°.Hibernating bats should never be disturbed! Bats will lose up to 1/3 of their bodyweight by spring and will have little or no stored fat left. If a bat is awakened duringhibernation, it must use previous energy to warm up and become alert, this can useup a bat’s energy resources so that there is little left to get it through the winter. Itcould mean it will die before spring.
Not much is known about the courtship rituals of microbats. Vocalizing and wingdisplays have been observed, but not much else. Tropical bats have been seen toengage in elaborate rituals including the display of colored fur patches and crests.
Bats living in temperate regions mate in the fall, the female storing the sperm untilthe following spring. Fertilization takes place after she emerges from hibernation.Separate nursery colonies are formed of thousands of pregnant females. Gestationlasts six weeks to two months and the young are born naked and helpless, oneyoung per year on average. Bat pups are big, weighing in at more than ¼ of theirmother’s weight. In less than three weeks, however, they are flying on their own.During this period, males and non-reproductive females segregate into separate bach-elor colonies. Bats are very slow to reproduce. Not only do they tend to have singlepups, but females are not sexually mature until they are two or more years old.They are however, long-lived, with some surviving for more than 30 years. Somebats are monogamous and vampire bats will even adopt orphans.
RabiesRabiesRabiesRabiesRabies
Rabies is an infectious, viral disease that attacks the central nervous system ofmammals. Any mammal can transmit rabies, but it is most often seen in dogs, cats,foxes, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, bats and livestock. Of the approximately 30,000deaths due to rabies worldwide each year, 99% of the cases resulted from contactwith dogs. The continued vaccination of domestic dogs and cats protects againstthe majority of human cases. Despite popular beliefs, the danger of contractingrabies from a bat is very low. Less than ½ of 1% of bats studied have been found tohave rabies.
Most rabies is spread through a bite wound, but it can also be transmitted throughcontact with infected saliva, open wounds or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth).Aggressive behavior in bats is rare, even when rabid. Refrain from handling bats andthe chances of being bitten are nonexistent. Always remind children to leave wildanimals alone, even if it appears sick or injured. Any animal bite should be reportedimmediately to a family physician or other medical personnel for evaluation. Alsocollect the animal involved for testing.
Though Austin, San Antonio, and other Texas cities host the highest bat densities inthe United States (1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats under an Austin bridge eachsummer), there have been no recorded cases of bat-transmitted rabies in humans.
Benefits of BatsBenefits of BatsBenefits of BatsBenefits of BatsBenefits of Bats
Bats worldwide serve to keep insect populations in balance, preying on many insectswhich are economically damaging to farmers and foresters, and helping control dis-ease-carrying mosquitoes and flies. Bat pollination and seed dispersal efforts arecritical to many plants, especially species in tropical rainforests that depend on batsfor the survival of entire ecosystems. Seeds spread by bats account for up to 95%of forest regrowth on land that has been cleared. Wild varieties of many food cropsdepend on bats for their pollination — bananas, avocados, dates, figs, peaches,mangoes, cloves, cashews, carob, balsa wood, kapok and tequila. In addition, batspollinate plants that we use for medicine, dyes, fiber, animal fodder, timber, andfuel. The study of bats has assisted in the development of devices to help the blind,vaccine production, birth control and artificial insemination. Since many speciescongregate in large roosts, the harvesting of bat guano was nad still is financiallylucrative. Guano was used in commercial fertilizers in the United States until about1940 and as a source for sodium nitrate for gun powder during the Civil War.
BAT CONNECTIONSBAT CONNECTIONSBAT CONNECTIONSBAT CONNECTIONSBAT CONNECTIONSBats, and many other animals in the Sonoran Desert, have formedinterdependent relationships with a variety of desert plants. Aga-ves, mesquites, ocotillo, organ pipe, prickly pear and saguaro cac-tus, are just a few of the plants that animals depend on for food,shelter and protection. In turn, plants depend on animals for pollina-tion and seed dispersal. Sometimes, animals harm the plants theyuse for food or shelter. Have students research some of these plantand animal connections. Use the drawing of the Park on the nextpage, and find the plant and animal connections, drawing lines be-tween those that interact. For each connection, have students de-scribe the relationship, who helps whom and how — the effect ofthe plant on the animal and of the animal on the plant — and arethese effects positive or negative, or neutral.
Bats in the AtticBats in the AtticBats in the AtticBats in the AtticBats in the Attic
The benefits of bats in your neighborhood are obvious — from insect control to plantpollination. But bats can be noisy, smelly, unwanted neighbors in an attic, garage orpublic building. It’s best to bat proof a residence and provide alternative housing theform of a bat house. A lost youngster who has strayed into a house or garage justwants to get out and can be easily removed by opening doors and window andshooing him out, or capturing it in butterfly net or leather-gloved hand.
Caulk and weather-strip loose-fitting doors and windows, install hardware screenover chimneys and vents, fill gaps in walls and along the eaves of houses with steelwool and tape over. Be careful to ascertain that your guests have indeed left thepremises before you begin blocking entry ways. This is especially true in the summerwhen young bats are left behind in the nursery. When excluding bats from a formerroost in a human habitation, offer them an alternative, or they may just move to yourneighbor’s house.
Bat houses can be easily constructed of plywood and board lumber. They must beplaced so as to provide the proper amount of sun exposure and heat absorption.Ventilation allows the bats to move up and down in the house to find the spot withjust the right temperature. Placement is also important in that the house must not beeasily accessible to predators, such as house cats. Also important is the distance tonatural habitat, such as open water for drinking and suitable sites for overwintering— caves, cliff-faces, etc.
You can contact Bat Conservation International (see page 24) for more informationon building bat houses and how to join their North American Bat House ResearchProject.
Bats in DangerBats in DangerBats in DangerBats in DangerBats in Danger
Bats are North America’s most rapidly declining and endangered land mammal. Inthe United States, almost 40% of bat species are endangered, or are candidates forendangered status. In Arizona, the lesser long-nosed bat is listed as endangered, theWestern mastiff bat is a candidate for the listing, and Townsend's big-earred bat isunder study.
Man is the greatest threat to these bat populations due to unwarranted fears andneedless persecution. Between 1963 and 1969 Arizona’s largest Mexican free-tailedcolony dropped from 30,000,000 individuals to 30,000. From the intentional killingof bats in their roosts, or the unintentional destruction of habitat, to pesticide poison-ing or roost disturbance, the latter may well be the most destructive. Roosts arecritical as places of refuge: to conserve energy, to reproduce, and to find safetyfrom predators. They are chosen carefully and may be difficult to replace shouldthey be disturbed or destroyed. Migrating bats face many dangers, not only at theirpermanent roost sites at either end of their journey, but at all the temporary sitesalong the way. Roosts provide the cooler temperatures needed for hibernation inwinter, and the warmth for raising young in the spring. Hibernating bats will burncritical energy supplies if they must “warm up” to escape an invasion of their roost.Nursing mothers may abandon their dependent young, thus endangering populationswith already low reproductive potential. Spelunkers and hikers can disturb nurserycave sites, and developers may seal off access to important sites.
Beginning in 1990, thanks to lottery dollars and the Heritage Fund, Arizona Gameand Fish Department began a Bat Management program promoting bat conservationand education, one of the first of its kind in the nation. Projects include an ongoingsurvey of the estimated 80,000-100,000 mines in the state to determine bat use asroosts or hibernation sites. Those abandoned mines showing frequent bat usage arebeing fitted with bat gates that allow the animals to come and go freely, whilekeeping unwanted human visitors out. In addition, artificial bat roosts, such as build-ings and bridges, are being inspected, and surveys of forest dwelling bats and theirdependence on tree roosts are being conducted. Education programs, workshopsand public awareness projects continue to spread the word about bats and theirbenefits to man.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?WHAT’S IN A NAME?WHAT’S IN A NAME?WHAT’S IN A NAME?WHAT’S IN A NAME?Some bat’s have names that are very descriptive of their looks or theirhabits — like the Mexican long-tongued bat, or the spotted bat, orTownsend’s big-earred bat. Let students use their imaginations to drawa cartoon of some real bats, based on their names.
pocketed free-tailed bat flying foxPeter’s ghost-faced bat California leaf-nosed batsilver-haired bat desert red bat
These are the New World leaf-nosed bats, with fantastical facial ornaments, used tofocus the echolocation calls that are emitted through their noses. Nose-leaves arewedge-shaped flaps of skin that can be as large as the bat’s entire head, or almosttotally absent. Some species also have a variety of other warts, bumps and folds onthe head and face. Insectivores, carnivores and frugivores are found in this familyalong with nectar feeders and the three species of vampire bat. The nectar feeders,like lesser long-nosed and California leaf-nosed, are small bats, capable of maintain-ing hovering flight above the target flower. They have long muzzles and extremelylong tongues with bristles on the end, perfectly adapted for extracting nectar andpollen.
LESSER LONG-NOSED BAT (Sanborn’s Long-nosed Bat)Leptonycteris curasoae = sanborni(slender and nocturnal/Curacao)
Description: No more than 3" long, witha wingspan of 14"; color is grayish toreddish-brown. The interfemoral mem-brane (between the legs) is reduced tofur-covered ridge, a tail is absent, andthe leaf nose is present. Adaptations forfeeding on nectar are present — elon-gated snout; small ears; long, extensiletongue that is ¼ the length of its body.
Lifestyle: Feeds on nectar of cacti, prin-cipally saguaro and organ pipe, and aga-ves, Agave palmeri; will also eat ripecactus fruits, especially when nectar isscarce, and visit backyard hummingbirdfeeders. Passively gathered pollen (whatcollects on facial hairs while drinking nec-tar) supplies nitrogen to the bats. Young are born mid-May in summer maternityroosts in southeastern Arizona; migrating back to Sonora by mid-October, spendingwinters in southern Mexico. Roosts in caves, mines and tunnels, returning to thesame spot for several years in a row. These bats feed in small groups, circling aplant and taking turns feeding. Plants are likely located first visually or by smell, andthat echolocation is used only secondarily by lead bats.
Status: Currently protected as an endangered species by US Fish and Wildlife and
the list of Threatened Native Wildlife in Arizona. Loss of mine and cave roost sites,disturbance of maternity roosts and overharvesting of agave plants are affecting thespecies. Long-nosed bat enjoys a symbiotic relationship with the plants it feeds on,pollinating those it visits. Their decline threatens both the plants they pollinate and,in turn, the other desert animals that depend on these plants for food and shelter.
Range: Deserts and tropical deciduous forests in central and southeastern Arizonato southwest New Mexico, to southern Sonora and El Salvador. They can also befound on the islands of the Netherlands Antilles and along the coasts of Columbiaand Venezuela. Generally at elevations below 5,000 feet. Current populations areknown in Santa Cruz and Cochise Counties.
CALIFORNIA LEAF-NOSED BATMacrotus californicus(large ear/California)
Description: Less than 2½” long with a13½” wingspan, this is a brown bat withlarge ears joined at the bases. It is dis-tinguished by a well-developed nose leaf.The wing membrane is hairless and thetail extends beyond tail membrane.
Lifestyle: Active throughout the year,leaf-nosed bat nests in colonies of sev-eral hundred in warm caves or mine tun-nels. Does not migrate or hibernate, butremains in roosts on cold nights. Easilyharmed by exposure to temperatures inthe 40°-50° range for more than a fewhours. Emerges at dusk to feed on in-sects (beetles, cicadas, grasshoppers)taken in flight or gleaned from ground orvegetation; in season may eat cactusfruit. A very agile flyer, able to hover over plants when searching for prey.
Status: Susceptible to human disturbance and habitat destruction, it currently is acandidate on the list of Threatened Native Wildlife in Arizona. Loss of warm, winterroosts and vandalism are major threats.
Range: Restricted to low desert areas, Sonoran and Mojave Desert thornscrub,below 4,000 feet in central to southwest Arizona, southern California, Baja Califor-nia and into northern Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean.
Found world-wide, this is the largest family of bats with 318 species. In general,“evening bats” have small eyes, display no nose leaf, and have ears with a tragus.The tragus is a fleshy ear outgrowth that aids in the use of echolocation signals.Tails are relatively long and some extend beyond the edge of the tail membrane.
Primarily insectivores, some species prey on fish; and most will defend a feedingterritory. Night-flying insects are caught in the wings and tossed into the tail mem-brane to be brought up to the mouth for ingestion while in flight.
Most vespers prefer caves, but will also roost in tunnels, mine shafts, abandonedwells, and buildings. Some species choose to live a solitary life, others prefer thecompany of large colonies of their fellow bats. Genera of the family that live intemperate zones will often migrate when the weather turns cold in order to findinsect food sources (Pipistrellus), others will chose hibernation (Antrozous, Eptesicus).Hibernating bats will lower their body temperature and slow their metabolism forseveral days to several months. Stores of body fat are used to maintain these low-ered temperatures for the duration. Caves with relatively stable temperature ranges,not falling below freezing, are chosen.
Males and females roost separately most of the year, mating during the fall. Femaleswill delay birth until late spring or early summer in one of three ways: (1) storingsperm until ovulation in the spring, (2) delaying implantation of the fertilized egg untilthe better weather, or (3) the fertilized egg implants, but development is delayeduntil weather conditions improve. These adaptations explain the success of this batfamily in locations as different as tropical forests, deserts and temperate regions.
PALLID BATAntrozous pallidus(pale cave animal)
Description: A heavy-bodied, cream-colored, furry bat with large pink ears and bigeyes. The long tail is encased in the interfemoral membrane. There is no nose leaf.Average length 2½-3", wingspan 14-15".
Lifestyle: Frequents desert grasslands, rocky outcroppings and freshwater lakes.An insect-eating bat that primarily preys on arthropods it takes from vegetation orthe ground, including beetles, grasshoppers, centipedes and scorpions. In addition toecholocation, will use standard hearing to pick up the noises insects make scurryingalong the desert floor. Captured prey is taken to night roosts for consumption. Thepallid is immune to the sting of either the scorpion or centipede it preys on.
Sexually mature at two years of age, mating takes place in the fall and winter.
Females store sperm until spring whenovulation and fertilization take place;pups (twins are common) are born dur-ing the first part of June. Youngsters areat full adult size in only eight weeks.During the summer, males and femalesroost separately. Colony members vo-calize to communicate with each otherand to conduct territorial disputes. Askunk-like odor can be emitted as a de-fense mechanism.
Three different roosts are used by thebat — a warm rock crack or attic forduring the day, a night roost in open veg-etation, and the hibernation roost incaves, rock crevices or buildings. Pallidbats will migrates short distance, buthibernate during winter at colder, higher elevations. Guano is used as fertilizer.
Status: Not endangered, but like all bats, habitat and roost disturbance and destruc-tion can cause the bat to abandon a roosting area completely. The use of pesticideson prey insects has had a serious impact on pallid bat populations.
Range: Found from western North America to central Mexico, generally below4,500 feet.
BIG BROWN BATEptesicus fuscus(flying brown)
Description: A plain-nosed, short-earredbat with long tail encased by hairlessinterfemoral membrane. Dark brownwith wing and interfemoral membranesare almost black. Length averages 3",with 14" wingspan.
Lifestyle: Exhibits strong, straight flightpatterns as it feeds on night-flying in-sects, preferring beetles. Thriving in ur-ban as well as rural settings, it can befound in a wide range of elevations. Win-ters are spent in hibernation in cold rockcrevices and caves south of the Mogollon
Rim. Summers are spent at higher elevations. Summer day roosts are hollow trees,saguaro holes and buildings. Breeds in fall, female retaining sperm in body untilspring when ovulation occurs. Young born in nursery colonies in summer, flyingwithin a month of birth. Only one nursing colony is known in Arizona.
Status: Not endangered.
Range: Throughout the Americas, from Canada to Argentina; southwestern UnitedStates and Mexico, as well as most of continental U.S. and Alaska.
WESTERN PIPISTRELLE (Evening Bat)Pipistrellus hesperus(a western bat)
Description: The smallest bat in theUnited States, measuring less than 3"in total body length, with an 8" wing-span, and weighing only 2/10 of anounce. Buff-gray in color with black maskacross eyes, plain-nosed, tail andinterfemoral membrane long.
Lifestyle: The most commonly seen bat,emerging earlier and staying out laterthan any other. Flying just at sunset, iffeeds on insects captured in flight. Ex-hibits quick turns and erratic flight simi-lar to butterfly. Generally solitary, its dayroosts are rock crevices and outcrops.Commonly has two pups per litter. Fe-males may move to higher, colder eleva-tions to hibernate in winter, but malescan remain at lower elevations and feed on warmer evenings.
Status: Not endangered.
Range: Found throughout Arizona, western New Mexico, southern California, Ne-vada, Utah, and even Washington; southwestern Texas, Baja California and northernSonora.
Family Molossidae
Known as the free-tailed bats because their tails extend beyond the edge of the tailmembrane, Molossidae are found in the New World from the central United Statesto southern Argentina. They also reside in parts of southern Europe, Africa, Asia and
Australia. All members of the family are insectivores, catching prey on the wing.Wings therefore, are long and narrow, allowing for fast flight. They achieve enoughlift for flight by dropping greater distances from their roosts, picking up speed duringthe fall. These narrow wings are designed for speed, but not maneuverability, soforaging must be done in the open, where there are few obstacles.
Wing and tail membranes are unusually tough and leathery, and nose pads and feetare frequently covered with sensory bristles. Ears are short and broad. Lips arewide, fleshy and creased, this large orifice no doubt contributing to their skills incapturing flying insects.
MEXICAN FREE-TAILED BAT (Brazilian Free-tailed Bat)Tadarida brasiliensis (mexicana)(withered toad/belonging to Brazil)
Description: Significant portion of tail extends beyond the interfemoral membrane.Wing membranes are dark, thick and leathery; ears are thick, flattened and extendover eyes. There are sensory hairs on the nose and feet. Average body length is2½”, wingspan to 13". Fur is short, velvety and dark brown to dark gray.
Lifestyle: The Mexican free-tail is a co-lonial bat, congregating in caves, mines,buildings and under bridges in groups of1,000 to tens of millions (1969 EagleCreek Cave in Arizona housed an esti-mated 25-50 million free-tailed bats).Using echolocation, it feeds on night-fly-ing insects, especially small moths.Emerging just after sunset, colonies willfly up to two miles high to catch tailwinds that increase their speed and abil-ity to travel long distances, often cover-ing 40 miles to reach feeding territories.When feeding, they will chase moths andother insects at speeds of up to 65 miles.
Mating occurs in late winter, followedby a two-three month gestation period.Large maternity colonies form in early summer when a single pup is born. The naked,flightless, youngsters are left clustered together in nurseries when their mothersleave each night to hunt. It was thought that offspring nursed from any availablefemale, however, research indicates that females identify and nurse only their ownpups. Using a combination of vocalizations and distinctive scents, mothers locatetheir own offspring when they return from feeding forays, even where the young-sters are packed in at 500 per square foot! Young bats are matured enough to hunt
on their own within a month of birth. Arizona populations, which consist of themigratory subspecies T. b. mexicana, migrate to southern Mexico in winter.
Status: Not endangered, but a significant population decline has been noted in theSouthwest, most likely due to pesticide use and human disturbance, especially dur-ing maternity season. The ban on DDT in the United States has helped the situation,but it continues to be used in Mexico, affecting populations that overwinter there.
Range: Found in temperate forests to rainforests and from grasslands to mountainsin portions of North, Central and South America; southern Oregon to southern NorthCarolina. Subspecies T. brasiliensis mexicana found in southwestern United Statesand Mexico.
BAT ID KEYBAT ID KEYBAT ID KEYBAT ID KEYBAT ID KEY — with thanks to BCI
Older students can learn to classify a bat according to its family, genusand species. Taxonomy is a method of classification used by scientiststo determine the relatedness of different species. It is used to classifyboth plants and animals. Living things with similar characteristics aregrouped together in kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus andspecies. The correct scientific name for each member consists of twoparts, genus + species. These names often come from Latin or Greekwords and are always italicized (or underlined). Many times the spe-cific epithet (genus + species) is very descriptive of the animal or plantit is identifying e.g. Antrozous pallidus or pale (pallidus) cave animal(antrozous). All bat classifications begin with:
Kingdom = Animalia (animals as opposed to plants, fungus, etc.)
Phylum = Chordata (includes all vertebrates)
Class = Mammalia (bats are mammals)
Order = Chiroptera (bats - winged hand)
Suborder = Megachiroptera (Old World fruit bats/flying foxes) Family = 1 family - Pteropodidae (173 species)
Suborder = Microchiroptera (all bats in the U.S.) Family = 17 families (813 species)
Note: only four families of bats occur in Arizona -MoormoopidaeVespertilionidaePhyllostomidaeMolossidae
BAT ID continuedBAT ID continuedBAT ID continuedBAT ID continuedBAT ID continuedTo practice observation skills and learn more about the differentphysical adaptations of bats, students can try classifying a bat usinga dichotomous key. Make copies of the" Investigate This!" worksheetalong with one set of Bat Picture and Family Information Cards, and6 copies of the Bat ID Key (pp. 30-35). Divide the class into sixgroups, giving each group a copy of the Key. Perform one classifica-tion as a whole class by way of explanation, then distribute theremaining six bat pictures, one to a group. Tell the class to first, lookat the picture and write down some of the characteristics of theparticular bat — tail or no tail, large or small ears, plain nose or leafnose? Then, beginning with the first statement on the key, chooseeither 1a or 1b as your answer. Only one of the statements can becorrect. Follow the dots to find out what to do next. If a family nameis given, then the classification is complete; if not, then go on to thenext statement and repeat the process until each group discoversthe family name for their bat.
When a group correctly identifies its bat family, hand out the BatFamily Information Card so they can read more about it. To concludethe activity, each group should make a presentation to the rest ofthe class on their particular bat family — where is it found, whatfeatures distinguish it from other bats, what are these adaptationsused for, what is its lifestyle, habitat, etc. Students can now trymaking their own dichotomous keys for some Arizona bats, or trythe next activity and create their own bat.
BUILD A BATBUILD A BATBUILD A BATBUILD A BATBUILD A BAT — with thanks to Arizona Game and Fish
Distribute large sheets of drawing paper and crayons, colored pencilsor marking pens. Divide students into six groups of four or five each.Give each group a set of Build-a-Bat Adaptation Cards (pp. 36-39)consisting of one food, one navigation, one roost, and one color card.Students are then asked to draw their bat and the habitat where it ismost likely be found. At the conclusion of the activity, each groupmust be able to describe their creation and justify its adaptationsbased on its environment.
Bat Conservation InternationalBat Conservation InternationalBat Conservation InternationalBat Conservation InternationalBat Conservation International
BCI can provide additional, detailed information on bats around the world through itsBats magazine, an interactive website, periodic teacher workshops, AV and educa-tional materials, and the adopt-a-bat program.
Bats are blind - Folklore - Bats can see quite well, actually. Many species depend on theiracute eyesight to locate food, such as nectar flowers and fruits. Other species useecholocation to target prey species, but still have excellent vision.
Bats are flying rodents - Folklore - Bats are not rodents. They belong to their own orderof mammals, Chiroptera. In fact, bats are more closely related to primates than to ro-dents.
Bats will attack you and get caught in your hair - Folklore - Bats navigate using eyesight,echolocation, sound and smell. They will make every effort to avoid collisions withobjects. When trapped or cornered, a bat may collide with people or objects in itsconfusion. Also, people out walking in fields or grassy areas in the early evening mayattract a small crowd of bats, not because the animals are "after" them, but because thebats are "after" all the insects the people are disturbing in the grass!
Bats are dirty, disease-ridden animals that will give you rabies - Fact and Folklore - Likeall mammals, bats can carry rabies. Your chances of contracting rabies from a bat arevery, very slight -- less than one in a million. Remember, do not handle any wild animal.As for being dirty, bats are really very clean, spending time every day grooming them-selves and others in their colony. Bats are usually quite healthy.
Bats feed on the blood of their victims - Fact and Folklore - Only three species of bats aresanguivores, the vampire species of Central America. They generally feed on livestock(cows, goats, chickens) and wild game.
Bats are powerful magic and can make you invisible or help you see in the dark - Fact andFolklore - Unfortunately, there is no magic that will make you invisible, but research intobat echolocation systems is providing science with help in creating devices to betterassist the blind.
Bats are evil - Folklore - Bats are extremely beneficial to mankind. They rid us of destruc-tive insect pests, pollinate our food crops, and help disperse the seeds of many wildplants.
CarnivoreCarnivoreCarnivoreCarnivoreCarnivore – meat-eating batBody: large for capturing and carrying off other animalsHead: strong jaws for killing prey; large ears help identify and locate
the sound of a mouse’s footsteps or the call of afrogWings: broad, with up to three-foot wingspan; largetail membrane for maneuverabilityTeeth: sharp molars and long canines for tearingflesh and crushing bone
PiscivorePiscivorePiscivorePiscivorePiscivore – fish-eating batBody: larger than average; long legs and enormous feet;long, sharp, hooked claws; toes flat for knifing throughwater; oily fur that sheds water to keep bat dryHead: strong jaws for killing and chewing fish; specialecholocation ability to detect ripples or fins on surface ofthe waterWings: narrow and long for flying fast over waterTeeth: sharp teeth (similar to insectivores) for choppingand grinding fish
SanguivoreSanguivoreSanguivoreSanguivoreSanguivore – blood-eating batBody: strong legs for walking on ground or climbing onprey and for jumping into flight full of bloodHead: heat-sensitive nose helps find blood vessels closestto prey’s skin surface; short pug muzzle makes bitingeasierWings: broad and short; strong enough to carry heavyfood loads with full stomachTeeth: tiny molars; incisors forming large, razor-sharpblades for puncturing prey’s skin; grooved tongue forlapping blood; special saliva keeps blood from clotting sobat can keep drinkingSpecial adaptations: kidneys allow bat to urinate as fastas it eats to lighten the load before flying home
InsectivoreInsectivoreInsectivoreInsectivoreInsectivore – insect-eating batBody: many body shapes, all smallHead: many different faces and ears but all designedto aid echolocation and hearing while hunting forinsectsWings: insectivores that catch insects on the groundor on plants (gleaning insectivores) have broad, shortwings and large tail membranes for darting in andout of branches or hovering close to the ground; thosethat chase insects in the air while flying (aerial insectivores)have longer, narrower wings and often have smaller ears forspeed; some use their tail membrane to help catch preyTeeth: sharp teeth for breaking up tough insects and chewingthem
FrugivoreFrugivoreFrugivoreFrugivoreFrugivore – fruit eating batBody: often large with bright colors; most have no tail and little orno tail membraneHead: medium to short snouts; keen nose for smelling ripe fruit;
strong jaws for biting fruit; large eyes have excellentvision, many do not echolocateWings: wide and short for carrying heavy fruits; smalltail membraneTeeth: wide, flat, grinding teeth and strong jaws forcrushing fruit - separate juice and spits out pulp; somehave grooved teeth to collect juice more easilySpecial Adaptations: there are also bats that feed onpollen, with bristly tongues designed to collect andhold pollen grains
NectarivoreNectarivoreNectarivoreNectarivoreNectarivore – nectar-eating batBody: smallHead: long, slender snout fits perfectly intoflowers; long, delicate jaw; grooved lowerlip and rough, scaly tongue to catch nectar;excellent vision and sense of smellWings: short, wide wings with long wingtipsfor hovering above flowersTeeth: small, not much used for chewing due to liquid diet
Bats A
dapt for FoodB
ats Adapt for Food
Bats A
dapt for FoodB
ats Adapt for Food
Bats A
dapt for Food
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Tohono Chul Park BATS: Flying AcesBATS: Flying AcesBATS: Flying AcesBATS: Flying AcesBATS: Flying Aces Bats A
dapt for FoodB
ats Adapt for Food
Bats A
dapt for FoodB
ats Adapt for Food
Bats A
dapt for Food
Bat Food CluesBat Food CluesBat Food CluesBat Food CluesBat Food Clues1. Who am I?Clue: My toes and claws are exceptionally long, and the sides are flat.Answer: I am a fish-eating bat – piscivore.
Bonus: what is the advantage of having long toes and claws?Answer: can reach into water without submerging bodyBonus: what is the advantage of having flattened toes and claws?Answer: to glide easily through water
2. Who am I?Clue: My legs are extra strong and my kidneys work quickly so I can eliminate wateras fast as I eat.Answer: I am a blood-eating bat – sanguivore.
Bonus: how do fast-working kidneys help a blood-eating bat?Answer: to get rid of the water, so the bat won’t be too heavy to flyBonus: what is the advantage of extra strong legs?Answer: to stalking large prey on the ground, or to escape quickly if prey wakes
3. Who am I?Clue: I am a large, strong bat with large ears and broad wingsAnswer: I am a meat-eating bat – carnivore.
Bonus: why does a carnivore bat need big ears?Answer: to listen for and find preyBonus: what is the advantage of having broad wings?Answer: to better lift heavy prey
4. Who am I?Clue: I fly fast over quiet water, searching for tiny moving objects. My fur is oily.Answer: I am a fish-eating bat – piscivore.
Bonus: what is the advantage of flying over calm water?Answer: to easily detect tiny fin tips using echolocationBonus: what is the advantage of oily fur?Answer: to shed water, keep bat fur dry, and avoid getting cold
5. Who am I?Clue: My short, broad wings and my large tail membrane allow me to dart in and outof branches.Answer: I am an insect-eating bat (prey on the ground or on plants) – insectivore.
Bonus: what is the advantage of being able to dart in and out of branches?Answer: to avoid obstacles and catch preyBonus: what is the advantage of being able to catch insects on the groundor in bushes?Answer: to avoid competing for food with bats that feed in the open or in theair
6. Who am I?Clue: I have sharp teeth and strong jaws that can cut or crush big meals. I also have atail membrane.Answer: I am a meat-eating bat – carnivore.
Bonus: what is the advantage of having sharp teeth and strong jaws?Answer: to quickly kill and cut up large prey; break bones
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Tohono Chul Park BATS: Flying AcesBATS: Flying AcesBATS: Flying AcesBATS: Flying AcesBATS: Flying Aces Bats A
dapt for FoodB
ats Adapt for Food
Bats A
dapt for FoodB
ats Adapt for Food
Bats A
dapt for Food
Bonus: what is the advantage of a big tail membrane?Answer: for better maneuverability when chasing prey
7. Who am I?Clue: My teeth are small, except for my front teeth, which are sharp and can cut like arazor. My nose can detect heat.Answer: I am a blood-eating bat – sanguivore.
Bonus: why are razor-sharp teeth important?Answer: to make quick, painless cutsBonus: what is the advantage of a heat-sensitive nose?Answer: to find areas on prey that are rich in blood
8. Who am I?Clue: I have sophisticated echolocation abilities; long, narrow wings; and small ears.Answer: I am an insect-eating bat (prey in the air) – insectivore.
Bonus: why do bats have echolocation as well as good eyesight?Answer: to pursue prey on the darkest nights and to roost in deep, dark caveswhere they are safe from predatorsBonus: what advantages do long, narrow wings have?Answer: to chase fast-flying insects and travel far
9. Who am I?Clue: I can smell my food from a long way off and I don’t have to echolocate.Answer: I am a fruit-eating bat – frugivore.
Bonus: why do many of these bats not need to echolocate?Answer: they don’t live in caves; echolocation isn’t necessary for finding fruitBonus: why is a good sense of smell important?Answer: to smell ripe fruits, because color can’t be seen in the dark
10. Who am I?Clue: My tongue is long and my wings allow me to hover.Answer: I am a nectar-eating bat – nectarivore.
Bonus: why does this bat need to be able to hover in flight?Answer: to visit flowers without landing, therefore staying safe from predatorsBonus: what is the value of a long tongue?Answer: to reach deep into flowers and lap up nectar
11. Who am I?Clue: My teeth are flat and my jaws are strong so I can squeeze juice from my food.Answer: I am a fruit-eating bat – frugivore.
Bonus: why does this bat discard as much fruit pulp as possible?Answer: to get the most nutritious part without carrying extra weightBonus: what is the advantage of having flat teeth?Answer: to squeeze out juice without cutting up the pulp
12. Who am I?Clue: My nose is long and narrow and my teeth are very small.Answer: I am a nectar-eating bat – nectarivore.
Bonus: what is the advantage of small teeth?Answer: nectar doesn’t need to be chewed, so heavy teeth aren’t neededBonus: what is the advantage of a long, narrow nose?Answer: to reach deep into long, narrow flowers
There are eighteen bat families living in the entire world; this identification key is forthe seven of them. Four of these families live in the United States. Each family hasdeveloped different characteristics that help it to survive in its particular habitat. Toidentify each bat, you will have to carefully observe the characteristics on the BatPicture Cards (pp. 31-32).
Instructions:Instructions:Instructions:Instructions:Instructions:• To identify the family in which each pictured bat belongs, begin with question
1 on the Bat Identification Key (p. 35). Have a group member first read aloudboth 1a and 1b. Only one of the statements can be true about the bat on thecard you are trying to identify. Discuss and decide whether 1a or 1b is true,and follow the dots on your instructions.
• If the dots lead you to a bat family name, you are finished identifying your batfamily.
• If the dots lead you to another number, go to that number and read both partsof that question. Decide which one is correct, and follow the dots for moreinstructions.
• If the dots keep leading you to more numbers, keep going. You will finallycome to your bat family name.
Once your group finds the name of your bat family, raise your hand, and your teacherwill give you the Bat Family Information Card, which gives you more details aboutthe family. Choose a representative from your group to prepare a presentation aboutyour bat family for the class. Be sure to include information that completes thefollowing statements:
1. Our bat family has the scientific name:and the common name:
2. Unique features that identify bats in this family include:
3. Our bat family lives on the following continents:
4. Some additional interesting facts about our bat family include:
4a. Feet are very large, more than twice as long as the bat’s thumbs . . . . Fishing BatFamily
(Noctilionidae)NOCK-til-lee-ON-nid-day
4b. Feet are small, never more than slightly longer than the thumbs . . . . . . . . . . . .5*
5a. Face has leaf-like flaps around the mouth; short tail extends only halfway to theedge of the tail membrane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ghost-faced Bat Family
(Mormoopidae)more-MOO-pid-day
5b. Face does not have leaf-like flaps around the mouth; tail is long, reaching theedge or extending beyond the edge of the tail membrane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
6a. Tail does not extend beyond the tail membrane; ears are widely separated. . . . . . .Plain-nosed Bat Family
(Vespertilionidae)VESS-per-til-lee-ON-nid-day
6b. At least one-third of the tail extends beyond the tail membrane; ears are joined ornearly joined on the forehead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Free-tailed Bat Family
(Molossidae)mow-LOS-sid-day
*Except for select species in the Vespertilionidae family that fish and live in tropical areas.
provides an environment with relatively constanttemperature and humidity - gathering in large coloniesallows bats to conserve energy by sharing body heat,
especially during hibernation - the high ceilings ofcaves are generally safe from predators - susceptibleto human disturbance, even vandalism - destruction ofa single cave colony can mean the loss of thousands,
provides an environment with relatively constanttemperature and humidity - gathering in large coloniesallows bats to conserve energy by sharing body heat,
especially during hibernation - generally safe frompredators - susceptible to human disturbance, evenvandalism - closing of mine opening can trap bats
depending on depth of cracks, can be subject tochanges in the weather - useful only be small groupsor individual bats - generally safe from predators -
