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Indiana Bat Information
Indiana Bat Facts
Indiana Bats are critically endangered bat that is only found in a handful of caves here in Virginia. The Indiana bat has been classified as Federally endangered since 1967 and has continued to decline since. Unlike, most endangered species, their decline, is not to human involvement (although it does happen to a degree) but due to a disease called white-nose syndrome. Wind turbines, and humans invading their caves. When humans go into the caves where these bats roost if disturbed this can cause them to use up their fat reserves which can lead to death, especially if they are hibernating. Finding Indiana bats in your home's attic is rare, and if they are found outside caves it is usually in forests, or on bridges between foraging. These bats will migrate back to their caves during the winter to hibernate and are normally found in the colder deeper parts of caves or mines.
Indiana Bat Characteristics
The Indiana Bat looks remarkably similar to the Little Brown Bat and can only be differentiated by close examination. Some of these characteristics are larger feet with hair that extends past the toes. They have pink lips rather than black lips. And they are fluffier than the Little Brown Bat. The Indiana bats weigh approximately 0.2-0.45 ounces and are 3 to 4 inches in length.
Indiana Bat Mating and Breeding
The Indiana Bat will mate in large groups in the fall. The Indiana Bat has delayed fertilization and instead of giving birth a few months later, they will give birth after their hibernation in June or July. After this, they will nurse their young called pups, under tree barks in small colonies. This is because cooler temperatures will slow the development of the pups, and somewhere warmer than their cave is needed.
Indiana Bat Diet
Indiana Bats are insectivores and eat primarily flying and aquatic insects. They most commonly feast on moths, beetles, and mosquitos. However, their diet changes based on geography and what season they are in. They have been seen eating bees, wasps, and spiders as well. These bats will travel 1.5 miles away from their roosts to forage for food. Their foraging area tends to be around 6,500 acres, but here in Virginia, that area is noticeably shorter at 1,500 acres.