Page 2 - Jupiter Ocean Mile - February '22

Page 2, Jupiter Ocean Mile
Northern Notes

Going Batty have a wingspan of over they usually die within three or four days. Although they
6 feet! The smallest bat
do not become aggressive, they can end up on the ground
By Katie Roundtree, is the bumblebee bat of or someplace they do not belong and if handled may bite in
Director of Finance and Thailand, an insect-eater, self-defense and transmit a disease. Never handle a wild bat
Administration, Northern which weighs less than a with your bare hands and make sure your pet’s vaccinations
Palm Beach County penny and has a wingspan are current. Never handle or play with any wild animals,
Improvement District of only 5 inches. Most including bats. They are wild and meant to be left alone.
Florida is home to bats in Florida eat Bats are disappearing at alarming rates. Disturbance or
approximately 13 species insects. They prey upon destruction of roost sites due to development and vandalism
of bats year-round. These insects that are pests to is the greatest threat to the world’s bats. Most bats living in
flying mammals are a humans and agriculture. Florida prefer to roost in mature or dead trees or in caves.
critical part of Florida’s Insectivorous bats can However, many bats are squeezed out of urban areas due to
natural ecosystem. They are eat their body weight in loss of habitat or take up residence in buildings and become
extraordinary animals that are insects each night, which the targets for abuse. Public education and preservation
misunderstood by many. means up to 3,000 insects Source: UF Florida Wildlife of roost sites are the keys to maintaining Florida’s native
Bats are unique animals and are not flying rodents. Although in just one night! Extension bat populations. You can help bats by learning more about
some mammals can glide, bats are the only mammal that can There are many myths them and sharing bat information with others. Fear and
truly fly. Scientists have classified bats into a unique group or and misconceptions regarding bats. Bats are not blind. They misunderstanding are some of the worst enemies of bats. This
order called “Chiroptera,” which means “hand wing.” Bats have the same five senses we do: smelling, hearing, tasting, is why education is so important. Bat houses are also a perfect
literally fly with their hands! Their wings are much like our seeing and feeling. Some bats, however, have highly developed way to get involved in conservation. A bat house in your
hands, but with longer fingers and a thin, but tough, membrane sonar capabilities, called “echolocation.” Bats produce backyard will provide bats with a much needed, safe place to
(skin) between the fingers. Worldwide there are over 1,000 echolocation by emitting high frequency sound pulses through live. They will also do you the return favor of eating insects
species of bats. From the fossil records we have learned that their mouth or nose and listening to the echo. With this echo, around the area. You can also help by supporting conservation
bats existed over 65 million years ago. Today, they inhabit all the bat can determine the size, shape and texture of objects groups that protect wildlife habitats and preserve natural lands.
areas of the globe except Antarctica and the extreme desert in its environment. Bat echolocation is so sophisticated that For more information go to The Florida Bat Conservancy’s
regions, but most bat species live in the tropics. The most these animals can detect an object the width of a human hair. website at www.floridabats.org or the University of Florida’s
common bats in south Florida include the Brazilian free-tailed Bats do not attack people just for spite. They are generally Florida Wildlife Extension at www.wec.ufl.edu/extension.
bat, big brown bat, Seminole bat and the evening bat. timid animals and prefer to stay away from humans. Vampire NPDES tip: Planting a rain garden with native plants
Bats eat a variety of things, including insects, fruit, bats do not live in the United States. They are only found in somewhere around your home helps lock rainwater in the
nectar, fish and small vertebrates, but only three species southern Mexico, Central and South America. ground, reducing the flow of pollutants and poisons into the
feed on blood. Bats also come in many different colors, The most common misconception that people have is that drains. Using organic fertilizers and pesticides in your garden
shapes and sizes. The largest bat in the world is the Malayan all bats are rabid. This is not true. Studies have shown that further protects and brings health to your yard and all the
flying fox, a fruit-eater. It can weigh over 2½ pounds and less than 1 percent of bats contract rabies and when they do, species living there.

Believe With Me from page 1 West Palm Beach Artist Tracy Guiteau from page 1 Palm Beach and 21 other counties within Florida. Hanley
Foundation is dedicated to working alongside community
You will be able to meet Guiteau at the 37th ArtiGras partners to promote healthy lifestyles and to positively
Fine Arts Festival presented by Hanley Foundation and influence attitudes, norms, and values by empowering
produced by Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce. individuals and families while helping supply need-based
The festival will run from Feb. 19 to 20 at the Gardens treatment scholarships to individuals with demonstrated
North County District Park in Palm Beach Gardens. needs in Palm Beach County.
The outdoor arts event showcases a juried exhibition of About Palm Beach North Chamber Of Commerce
outstanding fine art along with activities which include The Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce is one
artist and chef demonstrations, the Baptist Heath Youth of the largest and most active business organizations
Art Competition Gallery and the Amazon ArtiKids Zone. in Southeast Florida. Serving businesses in the 10
Tickets are only $11 per day with advance purchase and municipalities that make up Palm Beach North, the
children 12 and under are free. More information can be chamber fosters a partnership of private, public,
found at artigras.org. educational and civic organizations working together to
About Hanley Foundation ensure Palm Beach North is Florida’s “Prosperity Coast.”
Hanley Foundation combats substance use disorders The chamber’s four strategic imperatives are: a prosperous
within our communities by raising awareness and economy, high quality of life for all residents, a smart
providing education through quality substance use and connected region, and regional leadership. For more
prevention programming in schools and communities in information visit www.pbnchamber.com.

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