Page 6 - Abacoa Community News - February '22

Page 6, Abacoa
Northern Notes

Going Batty called “echolocation.” Bats Bats are disappearing at alarming rates. Disturbance
produce echolocation by or destruction of roost sites due to development and
By Katie Roundtree, emitting high frequency vandalism is the greatest threat to the world’s bats. Most
Director of Finance and sound pulses through their bats living in Florida prefer to roost in mature or dead
Administration, Northern mouth or nose and listening trees or in caves. However, many bats are squeezed out
Palm Beach County to the echo. With this echo, of urban areas due to loss of habitat or take up residence
Improvement District the bat can determine the in buildings and become the targets for abuse. Public
Florida is home to size, shape and texture of education and preservation of roost sites are the keys to
approximately 13 species objects in its environment. maintaining Florida’s native bat populations. You can
of bats year-round. These Bat echolocation is so help bats by learning more about them and sharing bat
flying mammals are a sophisticated that these information with others. Fear and misunderstanding are
critical part of Florida’s animals can detect an object some of the worst enemies of bats. This is why education
natural ecosystem. They the width of a human hair. is so important. Bat houses are also a perfect way to get
are extraordinary animals Bats do not attack Source: UF Florida Wildlife involved in conservation. A bat house in your backyard
that are misunderstood by many. people just for spite. They Extension will provide bats with a much needed, safe place to
Bats are unique animals and are not flying rodents. are generally timid animals live. They will also do you the return favor of eating
Although some mammals can glide, bats are the only and prefer to stay away from humans. Vampire bats do not insects around the area. You can also help by supporting
mammal that can truly fly. Scientists have classified live in the United States. They are only found in southern conservation groups that protect wildlife habitats and
bats into a unique group or order called “Chiroptera,” Mexico, Central and South America. preserve natural lands.
which means “hand wing.” Bats literally fly with their The most common misconception that people have For more information go to The Florida Bat
hands! Their wings are much like our hands, but with is that all bats are rabid. This is not true. Studies have Conservancy’s website at www.floridabats.org or the
longer fingers and a thin, but tough, membrane (skin) shown that less than 1 percent of bats contract rabies and University of Florida’s Florida Wildlife Extension at
between the fingers. Worldwide there are over 1,000 when they do, they usually die within three or four days. www.wec.ufl.edu/extension.
species of bats. From the fossil records we have learned Although they do not become aggressive, they can end NPDES tip: Planting a rain garden with native plants
that bats existed over 65 million years ago. Today, they up on the ground or someplace they do not belong and if somewhere around your home helps lock rainwater in
inhabit all areas of the globe except Antarctica and the handled may bite in self-defense and transmit a disease. the ground, reducing the flow of pollutants and poisons
extreme desert regions, but most bat species live in the Never handle a wild bat with your bare hands and make into the drains. Using organic fertilizers and pesticides
tropics. The most common bats in south Florida include sure your pet’s vaccinations are current. Never handle in your garden further protects and brings health to your
the Brazilian free-tailed bat, big brown bat, Seminole bat or play with any wild animals, including bats. They yard and all the species living there.
and the evening bat. are wild and meant to be left alone.
Bats eat a variety of things, including insects, fruit,
nectar, fish and small vertebrates, but only three species feed
and sizes. The largest bat in the world is the Malayan flying Experience Dentistry with a Woman’s Touch
on blood. Bats also come in many different colors, shapes

fox, a fruit-eater. It can weigh over 2½ pounds and have a
wingspan of over 6 feet! The smallest bat is the bumblebee
bat of Thailand, an insect-eater, which weighs less than a Cosmetic & Comprehensive Restorative Dentistry
penny and has a wingspan of only 5 inches. Most bats in
Florida eat insects. They prey upon insects that are pests State of the Art & Same Day Restorations
to humans and agriculture. Insectivorous bats can eat their
body weight in insects each night, which means up to 3,000 Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation Available
insects in just one night!
There are many myths and misconceptions regarding
bats. Bats are not blind. They have the same five senses Joanne Green, D.D.S.
we do: smelling, hearing, tasting, seeing and feeling. Some
bats, however, have highly developed sonar capabilities, 10887 N. Military Trail, Suite 6
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

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Important Dates And

Deadlines

Feb. 1 Tourist Development
Tax (TDT) due
Feb. 21 Presidents’ Day
observed – offices
closed
Feb. 28 Last day to receive 1
percent discount on
your property tax