Bat " Who are You "

Bats – What Are They Bats are flying creatures of the night, not much bigger than a house mouse. Bats can live up to 10 years. The wingspan of the two most common Canadian species, the little brown bat and the big brown bat, ranges from 20 to 35 cm (8 to 14 inches) although some can be larger. Bats will mate in fall or winter and the pups are usually weaned in July or August. Sometimes in favourable winter weather conditions, such as high humidity and temperatures above freezing, bats will roost in buildings throughout the winter. Bats emit a high-frequency sound inaudible to humans. These sounds bounce off objects in their paths enabling them to avoid obstacles and detect flying insects. Sometimes bats can be seen around outdoor lights which have attracted insects. To save energy, bats have the ability to enter a dormant state which makes them appear to be sick, asleep or dead. They may also bare their teeth and squeak loudly, leading many people to believe they are vicious. In reality, the bat is only trying to ward off a possible attack from one of their predators which include hawks, falcons, owls, cats, snakes, and humans. Bats are usually detected by their droppings or noise-making. Their musty smelling droppings can be mistaken for that of mice or birds. Bat droppings can look like crushed fine, shiny undigested insect parts, while mouse droppings are firm and do not disintegrate readily. No white colour appears in bat feces as it does in bird feces. In order to determine whether bats are roosting in a structure, inspect the exterior before dark when bats leave their roosts, or when they return from their night escapade at dawn. An hour's observation should be sufficient to identify possible entry and exit ways. Because bats are nocturnal creatures, they will not leave their roosting sites if they are faced with bright light. Therefore, while inspecting the outside of a structure maintain a dim light by applying several layers of red cellophane over the head of a flashlight, secured with a rubber band.