THE FLYING MAMMALS (BATS)
The bats are set apart from all other mammals because they have the power of flight. Otherwise, they possess the mammal characteristics of having a fur covering and suckling their young. Bats are rarely seen during the daylight hours, as they spend this time hanging upside down by claw-like feet in and about buildings and in branches of trees. They are mostly brownish or grayish with large “leathery” wings. Body length is from three to five inches; wing expanse six to twelve inches. Weight ¼ to 2 ounces. They swoop through the darkness with erratic, twisting movements and feed on flying insects. Their mouth contains a number of needle-sharp teeth. Bats have been greatly publicized because of their ability to fly through total darkness at relatively high speeds, avoiding all obstacles. In flight, the bats utter crys too high-pitched to be audible to the human ear. The vibration of these cries are “bounced back” from objects as the bats approach, and are picked up by extremely sensitive ears in time to permit dodging the obstacle. In addition to these “silent” echo calls, they are capable of uttering staccato squeaks while in flight which are audible to the human ear. They will not strike or “hit” people in their vicinity. In winter they may go into a hibernation period in caves or migrate, like birds, to warmer climates. Very little is known about the species of bats existing in this mountain region, therefore the following list gives only an indication of the variety of bats believed to be in the Park.