National Bat Appreciation Day!

This is a grand day indeed! Checked out a book at the library on making bat houses, checked out a couple more to educate self on different species and all things BAT!!! Who knew my timing was right on with the National schedule...

Main concern on providing a home for the bats is that the neighborhood kids will shoot them with B B guns and that just would not do anyone any good. Been trying to think up ways to get across to these kids without coming off too mean - ya know. Thought of coloring books, no funds for supplies, thought of pamphlets, same deal, thought of just talking to them - but I already have and witnessed a sweet little blue bird being carried off by one of them after tell tale sound of said gun being fired, none of these ideas are going to work. So I'm going to talk to one of the twins today and see what she has to say - fresh energy - closer in age, who knows - worth a try.

Did put this together, squeaked out enough ink to make 2 copies, thought about taking one to the store my items are in and brainstorming with them too. We'll see - have to save the bats!

National Bat Appreciation Day

One reason to celebrate bats is that the “insectivorous” bats rid our world of many bothersome insects.  In one hour, they can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes.

Fun Bat Facts:

• Some species of bats can live up to 40 years.
•  Can see in the dark and use their extreme sense of hearing.
• Are the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight.
• There are over 1200 known species of bats.
• The United States is home to an estimated 48 species of bats.
• About 70 % of bats are insectivores.
• One of the largest bats is the giant golden-crowned flying fox bat weighing up to 4 lbs with a wingspan of up to 5 ft. 7 in.
• Bats are very clean animals, grooming themselves almost constantly.
• North America’s largest urban bat colony is the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas.  It is home to an estimated 1,500,000 Mexican free-tailed bats, which eat approximately 10,000 to 30,000 lbs of insects each night.  Annually around 100,000 tourists visit the bridge at twilight to watch the bats leave the roost.
• One colony of 150 big brown bats can protect farmers from up to 33 million or more root-worms each summer.
• Almost 40% of American bat species are in severe decline with some already listed as endangered or threatened.
• Three U.S. states have an official state bat.  The Mexican free-tailed bat represents Texas and Oklahoma and the Virginia big-eared bat represents Virginia.

 

(information compiled: http://nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-bat-appreciation-day-april-17/)