Bats

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Photo Courtesy of Gayle Trivers Bats are the only true flying mammal in the world. Some, such as the flying squirel, may glide -- but they cannot fly by themselves. Bats can be seen flitting around in the sky at dusk and after dark. They sometimes dive and swerve around in circles, looking confused, disoriented, or perhaps as if they are going to attack. Contrary to popular belief, however, they have no desire to get into a person's hair. In actual fact they are sending and receiving super-sonic sound waves which bounce back to them off of solid objects, like buildings or insects. They then swerve to catch and eat the insects that they sense. During the day bats can commonly be found hanging in tree branches, tree hollows, attics, natural caves or abandoned mine tunnels. They are active only at night. In the winter some bats migrate, while others hibernate. There are six different species of bats which live in the Mississagi River area: Mississippi Myotis, Grey Myotis, Silver-Haired, Red, Big Brown, and Hoary.

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