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Loss of Bats
I just saw this on Indiana's DNR page so I thought I would share it.
"White-nosed Syndrome has killed more than a half million bats in states from Vermont to West Virginia and has had mortality rates in excess of 90 percent in some bat hibernacula.
Although not proved conclusively, it appears this fungus can be transported from cave to cave on the boots and clothing of recreational cavers."
As a result, Indiana has closed all cave, sink holes and mine shafts on DNR property until the end of the month.
Bats are hugely beneficial mammals. A typical gray bat can consume 3000 insects in a single feeding!! That's pretty amazing. All the old wive's tales of flying into your hair or that they carry rabies are just that; wive's tales. Bats are no more susceptible to rabies than a dog or cat. left alone, they can attain an age of 5-10 years old. That's a LOT of insects folks.
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So that's what that lady meant. When I told her my prices, she said I was batty.
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Yep, it has hit northern NH too and the local lead mine cave, which is home to a very rare species of bat.
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It has hit New York State as well. Lots less of my little flittermice in the air at dusk.:sad:
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Maybe we should ask our member, John Guano, to look into this ........
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Come to think of it, a couple weeks ago I went to back to Stumphouse Tunnel where lots of bats live. They had it closed off so that you could only go so far back into the tunnel. We were told by some other people that the reason was that because SO many bats took residence there. Though it is owned by the city itself and not the DNR, I am willing to bet that it was closed because of the fungus you mentioned.
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