Critter of the Week

Arizona Daily Star ^ | Feb 04 | Leah Tiscione

[Coop]

Who would I be? I am a Southwestern myotis. That is I am a bat. I am very similar to the long-eared myotis, except my ears are shorter.

How big would I be? I have an average wingspan of 10 1/2 inches. My body is about 2 inches long.

Where would I live? I can be found in the ponderosa-pine mountain islands of Central and Southern Arizona and New Mexico. I like woods with mixed pine and oak, also chaparral and riparian forests. I am a summer resident in these states, but I am very secretive as to where I spend my winters.

What's on the menu? I am especially fond of soft-bodied moths, just like my long-eared cousin. But if we are both in the same area, those other guys will switch to beetles, and the moths are left to me. We forage for insects by hovering or flying slowly over vegetation, rocks or the ground.

What else do you know about me? Not much, although it is believed that I am widespread, if not common in the areas that I like. Since my survival is so dependent on secure roost sites, it is important that you learn as much as you can about my habits. If you can help preserve my favorite haunts, you can help assure my survival.

Elaine Raines, based on information from Arizona Wildlife Views Special Edition.

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[RightWhale]

There is a larch that decided to nest in front of my house. Unfortunately it is in the electric utility Right of Way, and every now and then the power company clears the easement. Too bad, poor larch, it's never more than 2 feet tall.

[Coop]

So, this is your idea of cute? :-)

I prefer chipmunks or puppies, but to each his own.

[Lead Moderator]

That's an interesting question, and quite important. I think we need a breaking news post to take a poll asking that question.

(Please don't, I am being sarcastic).

[Gabz]

You're also being very funny!!!!!!

I don't envy you guys and girls your jobs!!!

[Coop]

Bats are usually found living in colonies:

[Lurker]

We just bought the bat house and put it up in a tree. Believe me, if there's a food source, the bats will find the home you provided.

I hate skeeters with a passion, so anything that eats them is fine with me.

L

[BlessedBeGod]

Darn! I thought it was a ZOT! :-(

[Skooz]

I need advice on how to build a driveway. I'll just post the vanity requesting said advice in Breaking News. That way, more people will read it. Ok?

(Hey, if I ever get around to building it, it will be breaking news to my wife......)

[Gabz]

I hate skeeters with a passion, so anything that eats them is fine with me.

You and me both. but I didn't notice any bats around here last year. And mosquitos are practically the regional bird around here.

[Darnright]

Whoa, awesome picture! Yes, of course he's cute. How can you resist that adorable smile on his tiny little face? (ducking and running)

Sort of reminds me of a gerbil with wings (c;

[Skooz]

Yeah, and they eat some unbelievable amount of mosquitoes, too. I can't remember how many per night, but the first time I read the number I thought it was a misprint.

[dighton]

Natural habitat, Louisville.

[AuH2ORepublican]

The platypus (also known as the duck-billed platypus) is my favorite critter. It is one of only three mammals to lay eggs, together with the echidna (also known as the spiny anteater) and the John F'n Kerry (also known as the French-looking Gary Hart).

[Coop]

One source credited the adult brown bat with eating about 500 mosquitoes per night.

Child's play compared to the adult purple martin, which can eradicate 2-3,000 of the suckers. [pun intended]

[Skooz]

One source credited the adult brown bat with eating about 500 mosquitoes per night.

The number I read was closer to ten thousand or so.

[Coop]

You're right. I checked again, and it was 500 per hour. My mistake.

[null and void]

Pinging youse.

(but I'm not sure why...)

[SLB]

If you follow this link you will find some good bat stories.

[68 grunt]

THE LESSER LONG-NOSED BAT

The lesser long-nosed bat is a leaf-nosed bat, yellowish-brown or gray with cinnamon brown below, and is one of four tropical bats found in the U.S. It ranges from as far south as Central America to Mexico to southern Arizona. It has a long muzzle and tongue, and is capable of hovering in midair-a feature that allows it to feed on nectar from the flowers of giant columnar cacti such as the saguaro (Cereus giganteus) and organ pipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi), as well as from agaves, from which tequila is made.

Human exploitation of agaves-largely by the tequila industry-is now threatening bat populations, in turn causing further agave decline. The lesser long-nosed bat is also imperiled due to habitat disturbance and destruction as a result of development, agriculture, deforestation, and livestock grazing, as well as direct taking of individual bats during animal control programs, particularly in Mexico.

[Darksheare]

It's jus' a harmless little bat.
Cool..