Trunkline Magazine (Louisville Zoo) September 2018 | Page 22

KIDS FOR CONSERVATION
Do you love animals
and being outside?
Become a Backyard
Action Hero!
A Backyard Action Hero is a
kid or adult who is really into
nature and wildlife and is ready
to take action to protect them.
They care about the animals
and habitats in their own back-
yards as well as all around the
world. They know that to make
a difference they not only need
to learn, but also to act.
The Toyota Backyard Action
Hero Guidebook will help you
learn all about the natural world
around you and how you can
help nature in need. Since the
Louisville Zoo is a great place
to learn about plants, animals
and ways to help our wonder-
ful world, it will also give you a
peak at what’s happening at the
Louisville Zoo!
At right, see an excerpt from
article about BATS from the
newest 2018-2019 guidebook.
Then, go online to read more at
LouisvilleZoo.org/BAH!
Presents
SAVING
SPECIES:
N A TURE IN
N EED
BATTY FOR BATS!
Did you know Indiana bats are really helpful
creatures? Some people think they are scary,
but bats help us out by eating all kinds of
pesky flying insects found along rivers
and lakes. Their role in insect control is
huge — these little bats can eat up to
1,000 mosquitos in an hour!
No Bats in Sight?
Indiana bats are classified as near
threatened. In 2007, a terrible disease
called white-nose syndrome hurt hibernating
bats in North America. Named for a white fungus
that appears on the nose of the bat, white-nose syndrome causes
strange behavior during cold winter months. Bats might wake up
early from hibernation, fly outside, or group together near the
entrance of the cave where it’s too cold! This disease has killed a lot
bats. Right now scientists are studying the disease to develop ways
to control it.
Bats are sensitive! They have a hard time recovering if bothered
during their hibernation period. Indiana bats have very little stored
fat to get them through the winter. Every time a bat wakes from
hibernation, it uses energy. It needs that energy to survive all winter
until the insects return.
These bats like to hibernate in large groups. If a cave is just right,
there could be as many as 50,000 bats living there! That is a lot bats
all in one location. We should be careful not to disturb them.
LOOK INSIDE!
Activities and articles align with grades K – 5
science and English language arts standards.
22 • Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Fall 2018