International Bat Night... August 27th! Preregister for a program at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary!

The United Nations Environmental Programme has declared 2011-2012 the "Year of the Bat" and we at Corkscrew want to celebrate these fascinating and often persecuted and misunderstood creatures. I will be giving a presentation in the classroom at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary on Bats of the World from 6:45 until 7:45. Then we are going to go out to one of the bat houses and watch them emerge!

For more information, prices, etc. please contact Karin Becker via phone 239-348-9151 ext. 108 or email kbecker@audubon.org

Photo by Jennifer Beltran

Critter of the Week Aug. 15: Seminole Bat (Lasiurus seminolus)

So I must admit that I have great love for this particular species of bat because it is the first species I ever removed from a mist net on my own. Plus they are just beautiful!

Seminole bats (Lasiurus seminolus) are members of the Vespertilionidae family. They are found in the southeastern United States but seem to be closely tied to the distribution of Spanish moss (one of its preferred roosting sites). They also use pine trees. Seminole bats (like other Lasiurines) are solitary roosters and commonly are referred to as "tree" bats b/c of their roosting preferences.  They look very similar to other tree bats but their fur is typically a deep rich mahogany color and often the very tips of the fur have white "frosting" (as seen in the top photo). These insectivores feed primarily on moths, beetles, true bugs,  and flies (to name a few).

Critter of the Week Aug. 8: Pallid bat (Antrozus pallidus)

One of my all-time favorite bats is the pallid bat (Antrozus pallidus). I had the great joy of handling some of these guys when at a bat conservation and management workshop in Arizona. A member of the Vespertilionidae family, these insectivores are unique, even in the bat world. Their over-sized ears (even by bat standards!) allow them to detect insects by their footsteps! Their hearing is so amazing that they can respond with uncanny precision to split-second sounds from up to 16 ft away. After capturing its prey, it will carry its meal to a perch for consumption. They tend to like thicker, harder-bodied insects like beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers. Another cool pallid bat fact: they eat scorpions and are immune to scorpion stings!! Pallid bats are found in the western United States. These solitary bats typically roost in rock crevices, buildings and bridges in arid and semi-arid regions. 

Bats in the Belfry!

In honor of the UNEP declaration of the year 2011-2012 as the Year of the Bat, the next few blogs will revolve around bats of the United States and other nations. And a special note, August 27th is International Bat Night! So look around in your community to see about any special programs.

 

Evening Bat captured in Southern Florida

Back! Plant of the week July 25: Swamp lily

The swamp lily aka string lily (Crinum americanum) is a native tropical perennial found throughout Florida and much of the southeastern United States.  It is an obligate wetland species. This means under natural conditions you will almost always see them growing in wetlands. This includes: wet prairies, depression marshes, ditches, hydric hammocks, floodplains, riverine marshes, and wet pastures (to name a few). The lily is a bulb, and it is extremely difficult to extract these guys from the ground. The large flowers are very fragrant and showy. And its fruiting body is a large capsule that is 4-6 cm wide and can have 1 to many large fleshy seeds inside.

People sometimes confuse these flowers with members of the spiderlily (Hymenocallis) genus. However, the swamp lily has a very distinctive feature to look for: bright red, purple, or pink stamen filaments (which you can see in the photos).

Temporary Hiatus!

Hey all! I am taking a two week hiatus during my final push to complete thesis data collection. Look for continuing posts in early July!

Critter of the Week June 6: Nothern Bobwhite Quail

The Northern bobwhite is considered a game species, and at one time they were found throughout the state in appropriate habitat. However, with the human population expanding, their habitat has dwindled or become degraded. Now more abundant numbers as only found in areas where the land is heavily managed to mimic what once was. Panther Island is home to 2-3 small coveys of this species, and we are working to improve the habitat in the hopes that we can someday support more.
For more information...click here.