Ozark Big-Eared Bat
Encyclopedia
The Ozark Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus
townsendii ingens) is one of the five subspecies of Corynorhinus townsendii, a species of vesper bat
(family Vespertilionidae). Their average lifespan is 15 years. Part of the mating ritual of these bats includes nuzzling heads. They are considered endangered species
.
is the largest and reddest of the five subspecies of Corynorhinus townsendii and is medium-sized and weighs from 0.2 to 0.5 ounces. It has very large, 1” long ears that connect at the base across the forehead. The snout has large, prominent lumps above the nostrils. These particular bats feed on moths and other insects; they forage along forest edges.
support entire ecosystems of unique organisms, including bacteria which are useful in detoxifying wastes, as well as producing gasohol (mixture of gasoline and alcohol) and certain antibiotics.
regions dominated by oak-hickory forest
s. Karst is a special type of landscape that is formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks, including limestone and dolomite. The temperature of hibernation
caves ranges from 40° to 50°F. The Ozark Big-Eared bats use caves all year around, thus they are highly susceptible to extinction if their homes vary too greatly in temperature, are disturbed or destroyed. The Ozark big-eared bats once lived in caves in Missouri
, Arkansas
, and Oklahoma
. However, they have apparently abandoned their Missouri habitat due to human encroachment and cave disturbance.
colonies are located in caves that range in temperature between 50° and 59°F. Big-Eared bats mate in the fall and store their sperm during the wintertime and at the end of hibernation
, pregnancy
occurs. Further reinforcing their fragile state, Ozark Big-Eared bats give birth to a single offspring. Because of their low birth rate, these mammals can easily become over-exploited. Young bats grow quite rapidly and are capable of flight at three weeks, and by six weeks, they are weaned from the mother.
status of bats as many species of bats are increasingly affected by humans. Bats face multiple threats of pesticide poisoning
, roost destruction and closure, habitat loss, diseases such as White Nose Syndrome
, over-exploitation, and extermination as pests. Habitat fragmentation
has been a major concern which creates a disruption of extensive habitats into isolated Big-Eared bat population
Corynorhinus
The genus Corynorhinus consists of the lump-nosed bats, or American long-eared bats. Only three species occur in the genus, all occurring in North America. Members of this group were previously in the genus Plecotus. Populations of these species are generally uncommon and declining. Two...
townsendii ingens) is one of the five subspecies of Corynorhinus townsendii, a species of vesper bat
Vesper bat
Vesper bats , also known as Evening bats or Common bats, are the largest and best-known family of bats. They belong to the suborder Microchiroptera . There are over three hundred species distributed all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica...
(family Vespertilionidae). Their average lifespan is 15 years. Part of the mating ritual of these bats includes nuzzling heads. They are considered endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
.
Description
The Ozark Big-Eared BatBat
Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...
is the largest and reddest of the five subspecies of Corynorhinus townsendii and is medium-sized and weighs from 0.2 to 0.5 ounces. It has very large, 1” long ears that connect at the base across the forehead. The snout has large, prominent lumps above the nostrils. These particular bats feed on moths and other insects; they forage along forest edges.
Importance
Bats are beneficial to our planet in a myriad of ways. A colony of big brown bats can eat eighteen million cucumber beetles. The insectivorous food habits of bats play an important role in maintaining a balance among insect populations. Other species of bats, especially in temperate zones, are insectivorous and collectively consume large quantities of insects. Bat droppings or guanoGuano
Guano is the excrement of seabirds, cave dwelling bats, and seals. Guano manure is an effective fertilizer due to its high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen and also its lack of odor. It was an important source of nitrates for gunpowder...
support entire ecosystems of unique organisms, including bacteria which are useful in detoxifying wastes, as well as producing gasohol (mixture of gasoline and alcohol) and certain antibiotics.
Habitat
The caves used by Ozark Big-Eared bats are located in karstKARST
Kilometer-square Area Radio Synthesis Telescope is a Chinese telescope project to which FAST is a forerunner. KARST is a set of large spherical reflectors on karst landforms, which are bowlshaped limestone sinkholes named after the Kras region in Slovenia and Northern Italy. It will consist of...
regions dominated by oak-hickory forest
Oak-hickory forest
The oak-hickory forest is a general type of North American forest ecosystem with a range extending from southern New England and New York, west to Iowa, and south to Northern Georgia. Smaller, isolated Oak-Hickory communities can also be found as far west as North Dakota, south to Florida and...
s. Karst is a special type of landscape that is formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks, including limestone and dolomite. The temperature of hibernation
Hibernation
Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals conserve food, especially during winter when food supplies are limited, tapping energy reserves, body fat, at a slow rate...
caves ranges from 40° to 50°F. The Ozark Big-Eared bats use caves all year around, thus they are highly susceptible to extinction if their homes vary too greatly in temperature, are disturbed or destroyed. The Ozark big-eared bats once lived in caves in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, and Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. However, they have apparently abandoned their Missouri habitat due to human encroachment and cave disturbance.
Offspring
MaternityMaternity
Maternity or motherhood is the social and legal acknowledgment of the parental relationship between a mother and her child.It is specially related with the protection of the baby and the mother within and after the childbirth.-See also:...
colonies are located in caves that range in temperature between 50° and 59°F. Big-Eared bats mate in the fall and store their sperm during the wintertime and at the end of hibernation
Hibernation
Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals conserve food, especially during winter when food supplies are limited, tapping energy reserves, body fat, at a slow rate...
, pregnancy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
occurs. Further reinforcing their fragile state, Ozark Big-Eared bats give birth to a single offspring. Because of their low birth rate, these mammals can easily become over-exploited. Young bats grow quite rapidly and are capable of flight at three weeks, and by six weeks, they are weaned from the mother.
Causes of Decline
There is developing concern about the conservationConservation biology
Conservation biology is the scientific study of the nature and status of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction...
status of bats as many species of bats are increasingly affected by humans. Bats face multiple threats of pesticide poisoning
Pesticide poisoning
A pesticide poisoning occurs when chemicals intended to control a pest affect non-target organisms such as humans, wildlife, or bees.-Cause:The most common exposure scenarios for pesticide-poisoning cases are accidental or suicidal poisonings, occupational exposure, by-stander exposure to...
, roost destruction and closure, habitat loss, diseases such as White Nose Syndrome
White nose syndrome
White nose syndrome is a poorly understood disease associated with the deaths of more than a million bats. The condition, named for a distinctive fungal growth around the muzzles and on the wings of many affected animals, was first identified in a cave in Schoharie County, New York, USA, in...
, over-exploitation, and extermination as pests. Habitat fragmentation
Habitat fragmentation
Habitat fragmentation as the name implies, describes the emergence of discontinuities in an organism's preferred environment , causing population fragmentation...
has been a major concern which creates a disruption of extensive habitats into isolated Big-Eared bat population