WINGED MAMMALS: BATS
Everyone can identify Bats. Their fingers are extended and joined with a leathery membrane. Their ears are large to aid in catching the echo of their voice as it is reflected from obstacles. They are most frequently seen at twilight when they flitter over the dunes in quest of the many insects abounding there. Bats have tremendous value because they eat such insect pests as mosquitoes and flies.
We have five major kinds of Bats. They are not easily identified in flight.
Little Brown Bat (Myotis, several species)
Less than 4″ long Common
Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)
More than 4″ long Reddish-brown fur Common
Pipistrelles (Pipistrellus subflavus)
The “Pigmy Bat,” under 3″ long Rare
Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans)
About 3½″ long Gray or silvery hair on back Rare
Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis)
About 3½″ long Rusty-red fur with whitish tips
and
Hoary Bat (L. cinereus)
About 4½″ long Yellowish-brown fur tipped with white