Endangered Species spotlight
We are excited to announce the return of our Endangered Species Spotlight! Here we will talk about animal species in need of our support. By joining the mailing list, you will receive exclusive content related to the monthly animal!
Endangered species guide
Additional Information
There are several levels of wildlife that are in danger of extinction. We utilize the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) scale for reference. Those levels and their symbols are:
- Least Concern (LC): Not in danger of extinction
- Near Threatened (NT): Nearing dangerously low populations and needs our help to avoid becoming endangered
- Threatened (T): Populations are rapidly declining and need help in order to survive
- Endangered (E): Species is nearing extinction and without our help, will become extinct in the near future
- Critically Endangered (CE): Species is incredibly troubled and can become extinct at any time
- Extinct Wild/Extinct (EW/EX): No wild populations exist or no known specimens are living today
February Species: Indiana Bat
A very misunderstood animal
The Indiana Bat is a very misunderstood, but extremely important part of our ecosystems here in the area. This small bats eat mosquitoes, flies, and other flying insects, which helps to control the populations of pests.
Most bats, including these little creatures, are known for their use of echo location to help them find insects during the night hours that they are commonly seen in. Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind at all. It is just hard to see at night!
Protecting these beautiful creatures is a major concern for conservationists and anyone who is studying and/or working with wildlife. They are dying at a very rapid rate due to disease and habitat destruction. They are often found in heavily wooded areas, but the removal of these ecosystems has caused them to start having serious issues. The other, most destructive issue, is White Nose Syndrome.
- Scientific Name: Myotis sodalis
- IUCN Listing: NT (stable), US Fish and Wildlife: T
- Range: Most of the Eastern US (not seen regularly in South Carolina or Florida)
- Habitat: Summer habitat includes small to medium river and stream corridors with well developed riparian woods; woodlots within 1 to 3 miles of small to medium rivers and streams; and upland forests. Caves and mines as hibernacula.
- Diet: Flying insects such as mosquitoes and flies
white nose syndrome
White Nose Syndrome is a bacterial infection that affects bats throughout the Eastern US. It shows as a white spot on the nose of infected bats.
Unfortunately, this bacteria does not currently have a cure and is rapidly moving around the country. It is usually transmitted through the guano (bat feces) of infected animals.
Cave visitors can track the bacteria into other cave systems and can kill bats in new caves because of this.
Always clean your shoes each time you enter a cave. National Parks such as Mammoth Caves have started having all cave visitors walk through a solution that has been shown to help reduce the transmission of the bacteria to new caves.
Previous entries
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