Bats :Bats Dr. Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D. Mariana Fruit Bat (Pteropus mariannus mariannus)photo Ann Hudgins. USFWS 1 Dr Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D.


Order Chiroptera :Order Chiroptera Family Pteropodidae 42 genera 166 species 2 Dr Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D.


Suborder Microchiroptera :Suborder Microchiroptera – 16 families 135 genera 759 species 3 Dr Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D.


Biological Characteristics of Bats :Biological Characteristics of Bats Approximately 1000 species of bats comprising almost ¼ of all mammal species. Approximately 47 species found in North America. Bats vary in body weight; ranging from the smallest bat the size of a penny e.g. Bumblebee bat to the largest bat approx. 3 lbs e.g. Flying fox. Live span varies among species, but the large Brown Bat can live 34 years. Bats can forage for considerable distances e.g. Brazalian freetails. 4 Dr Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D.


Biological Characteristics of Bats :Biological Characteristics of Bats In one night feeding, a bat can consume more than 3000 insects. Bats can tolerate temperatures from 23 F to 122 F. Pollinators. Spread rabies; approx. 0.5 % of the population of bats. 5 Dr Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D.


Present Survival Status of Bats :Present Survival Status of Bats More than half of the population of bats are in decline or already endangered. At least seven are listed as endangered. Others have unknown status. 6 Dr Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D.


Causes for Decline :Causes for Decline Disturbance at Hibernacula and Maternity roosts. Pesticides. Changes of foraging and migration routes. Cave alterations through activities such as guano mining, modifications to entrances and exits. Predation by other animals. Over harvest for food. 7 Dr Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D.


Reproduction :Reproduction Female stores sperms in the autumn and uses them in the spring. Gestation period varies among species from 40 days to 6 months. Bats can live for 30-35 years 8 Dr Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D.


Public Health Significance :Public Health Significance Rabies. Preventable viral disease spread by bats, rats, dogs, and other wild animals. Costs for detection, prevention and control exceeds 300 M per year. A course of rabies immune globulin and five doses of vaccine given over a 4-week period typically exceeds US $1,000. The cost per human life saved from rabies ranges from approximately US $10,000 to US $100 million. 9 Dr Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D.


Public Health Significance :Public Health Significance Biological pest control. One colony of 800 Large Mouse-eared Bats (Myotis myotis) consumes approximately 55,000 insects nightly. The usefulness of bats are now being appreciated and conserved by scientists and the public. 10 Dr Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D.


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References :References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rabies. http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/about.html Kampwerth, D. Goodbar J. Ed. 2008. Flying Mammalian Resources. Karst Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 18 Dr Deryck D. Pattron, Ph.D.