The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota provides
quality medical care and rehabilitation for all injured,
sick and orphaned wildlife, and shares its knowledge
with the people who care about them.

The 2nd photo at right shows a size comparison of a Big Brown Bat (left) vs. a Little Brown Myotis (right). Other photos are identified below.

 

1. The largest species of bat in the Eastern U.S. is:

a) Big Brown Bat

b) E. Pipistrelle

c) Silver-haired Bat

d) Hoary Bat (female with babies in photo at right, by Stan Tekiela)

 

2. How many species of bats are found in the continental U.S.?

a) 38

b) 45

c) 52

d) 73

 

3. Bats consume on average, how many mosquitoes and other flying insects in an hour?

a) 500

b) 800

c) 1200

d) 1500

 

4. What current plight is facing bat colonies in the U.S.?

a) loss of habitat

b) white-nose Syndrome

c) use of pesticides/insecticides

d) human interference in hibernation and maternity colonies

e) all of the above

 

5. Bats are the largest carrier of rabies in the U.S.

a) true

b) false

 

6. Most common bat in Minnesota is:

a) Hoary

b) Red (last photo at right shows a red bat with 2 babies)

c) Little Brown Myotis

d) Big Brown Bat

 

7. Least common, and listed as a species of special concern here in the state is:

a) E. Pipistrelle

b) Hoary

c) Red

d) Silver-haired

 

8. Many bats have delayed fertilization

a) true

b) false

 

9. Baby bats (pups) are how large when born?

a) 1/16 of its adult size

b) 1/4

c) 1/8

d) half

 

 

Scroll down for answers...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANSWERS

1) D The Hoary Bat is the largest bat found in the Eastern United States. Its wingspan can measure 15." Learn more about the beautiful Hoary Bat.

 

2) B 45 species

 

3) B It varies from species to species, but scientists have found bats consume between 700-1,000 insects an hour. Of interest, many bats consume moths!

 

4) All of the above. Although the loss of and intrusion by humans in hibernating locations and maternity colonies is probably the biggest cause for decline. Scientists suspect the White Nose Syndrome, which is plaguing bats in the East, may be transported by humans. For this reason, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has closed many of the larger caves that provide protection to hibernating and maternity colonies. Learn more about the White Nose Syndrome (PDF). Listen to the NPR story on White Nose Syndrome. WRC is instrumental in working with area agencies in the early detection of such diseases.

 

5) False. Less than 1% of the bats in the U.S. carry rabies (Univ. of Florida study). Fewer than 50 people have contracted rabies from bats in the past 40 years! The largest carrier of rabies in Minnesota? Skunks!

 

6) C The Little Brown Myotis is the most common bat in Minnesota.

 

7) A The E. Pipistrelle has no known maternity colony in Minnesota. Each year, a few hibernating pipistrelles are found in caves with other bats. The DNR has placed gates over the entrances to several mines and caves in Minnesota that are known hibernacula or maternity colonies. Learn more about the E. Pipistrelle on the DNR's site.

 

8) True! Most bats here in Minnesota mate in the fall, but the female stores both the sperm and the eggs until spring.

 

9) 1/4 - 1/3 of the mom's body weight! That's like humans giving birth to a 40 lb. baby. Most bats reach adult size in a month's time and are on their own at 6 weeks of age.