Nebraskaland

interesting notes for readers of all ages by Lindsay Rogers and Donna Schimonitz The Threat to Bats Shaun Dunn, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission N ebraska has 13 species of bats, all of which are insectivorous (they eat insects). This is helpful to farmers because the bats eat the insects that eat the farmers' crops. By having bats around, farmers need less insecticide to control pest insects. Unfortunately, a fungus is infecting many bats when they are hibernating (sleeping through the winter). This fungus is called White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), because the fungus grows on the bats' ears, nose, and wings, turning those areas white. It's a cold- loving fungus that spreads easily from bat to bat while they are in their hibernaculum (where bats hibernate, such as a cave, mine, or other cool, dark, moist location). The bats huddle together in groups of a few dozen to several thousand in the biggest hibernaculums. When the bats huddle together, the fungus can easily move from one bat to another and infect the whole colony within a short time. White-Nose Syndrome causes the bats to wake up many times during the winter when there is no food for the bats to eat. As a result, the bats starve and eventually die, sometimes hundreds of them in a single cave. It was first found in New York state in 2006 and has been moving west ever since. And while WNS has not been found in Nebraska, it has been suspected or confirmed in several states close to Nebraska, including Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Oklahoma. If WNS makes it to Nebraska there could be a negative impact to our crops and farmers. Of the 47 bat species in the United States, only seven have been found to be affected by WNS. The fungus seems to mostly affect the bats that hibernate in caves and mines in large numbers. Other species of bats hibernate in small groups in trees, barns, or other sheltered areas, perhaps preventing the fungus from growing on them. But scientists need to do more research to see what species are affected by WNS. Hopefully, Nebraska's bats will not be affected as seriously as some states where WNS kills entire populations or groups of bats. In the United States, some scientists estimate more than five million bats have been killed by WNS so far. Scientists will be monitoring bats in Nebraska to look for evidence of WNS over the next few years. Bats are fascinating mammals and are vital to many ecosystems in Nebraska and the rest of the world. American white pelicans photo by Jon Farrar NATURE CALENDAR ■ White pelicans migrate through: April through May ■ Chokecherry in bloom: May through early June ■ Look for Morel Mushrooms: Mid-April through early June ■ Spadefoot toads emerge from hibernation with first rains of spring: March through early April junior journal junior journal junior journal Being prepared for your hike is really important. Here is a checklist of supplies you should bring depending on how long you will be hiking. F Trail Map F Water F Snacks F Simple First Aid Kit F Sunscreen F Bug Spray Optional items to bring: F Camera F Binoculars F Field Guides F Journal and Pencil Let's Go for a Hike! Identify the Nebraska animal in each photo. Thinkstock Jeff Kurrus Thinkstock Jeff Kurrus ANSWERS: White-tailed Deer (Doe), Garter Snake, Silver-spotted Skipper, American Kestral from NEBRASKAland‛s Trail Tales magazine for kids 56 NEBRASKAland • APRIL 2015

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