If you have turned on the news recently, you know that bats have been getting a bad rap. But, when humans leave them alone, these flying mammals are a vital part of the ecosystem. Since their sudden appearance can be downright startling, we figured we would tell you now to keep your eyes peeled, as thousands of bats are making their way back to the Centennial State:
Like butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife, bats are beginning their spring migration to Colorado, thanks to warmer temperatures, plus ample shelter and food.
Peter van der Sluijs/Wikimedia Commons
According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, there are 18 species of bats who either live in or migrate through the Centennial State, including the well-known big brown and little brown bats, silvered-hair bats, and hoary bats (pictured), the latter of which are beginning to migrate back to Colorado.
Paul Cryan, U.S. Geological Survey/Wikimedia Commons
Known to primarily inhabit both North and South America, the hoary bat lives in Colorado April through November and travels to warmer climates - mainly Central America and the southwestern United States - in the winter months.
A proietti/Wikimedia Commons
How can you tell the hoary bat apart from others? Unlike the big and little brown bats, the hoary bat is covered in dark brown fur with white tips, giving it its distinct yet easy-to-recognize appearance.
Flickr/Tom Benson
Unlike other bats, the hoary bat also prefers to roost alone, while most other species live within a large group, typically in a cave, attic, mine, or other dwellings of the like.
Flickr/Bryant Olsen
If you encounter a bat, Colorado Parks & Wildlife states there is no need to panic, as they will typically leave you alone; however, if you do come into contact with one and get bit, it is vital that you seek medical attention, as they come in only behind raccoons and skunks in terms of the most rabid animal.
Flickr/Oregon State University
Have you seen a hoary bat (or any other of Colorado’s 18 bats) this spring? Let us know (or better yet, show us your photos!) in the comments.
Flickr/Forest and Kim Starr
In addition to keeping your eye out for bats, check out these migrations: Thousands Of Monarch Butterflies Are Headed Straight For Colorado This Spring and Keep Your Eyes Peeled, Thousands Of Hummingbirds Are Headed Right For Colorado During Their Migration This Spring.
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Address: Colorado, USA
Like butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife, bats are beginning their spring migration to Colorado, thanks to warmer temperatures, plus ample shelter and food.
Peter van der Sluijs/Wikimedia Commons
According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, there are 18 species of bats who either live in or migrate through the Centennial State, including the well-known big brown and little brown bats, silvered-hair bats, and hoary bats (pictured), the latter of which are beginning to migrate back to Colorado.
Paul Cryan, U.S. Geological Survey/Wikimedia Commons
Known to primarily inhabit both North and South America, the hoary bat lives in Colorado April through November and travels to warmer climates - mainly Central America and the southwestern United States - in the winter months.
A proietti/Wikimedia Commons
How can you tell the hoary bat apart from others? Unlike the big and little brown bats, the hoary bat is covered in dark brown fur with white tips, giving it its distinct yet easy-to-recognize appearance.
Flickr/Tom Benson
Unlike other bats, the hoary bat also prefers to roost alone, while most other species live within a large group, typically in a cave, attic, mine, or other dwellings of the like.
Flickr/Bryant Olsen
If you encounter a bat, Colorado Parks & Wildlife states there is no need to panic, as they will typically leave you alone; however, if you do come into contact with one and get bit, it is vital that you seek medical attention, as they come in only behind raccoons and skunks in terms of the most rabid animal.
Flickr/Oregon State University
Have you seen a hoary bat (or any other of Colorado’s 18 bats) this spring? Let us know (or better yet, show us your photos!) in the comments.
Flickr/Forest and Kim Starr
Peter van der Sluijs/Wikimedia Commons
Paul Cryan, U.S. Geological Survey/Wikimedia Commons
A proietti/Wikimedia Commons
Flickr/Tom Benson
Flickr/Bryant Olsen
Flickr/Oregon State University
Flickr/Forest and Kim Starr
In addition to keeping your eye out for bats, check out these migrations: Thousands Of Monarch Butterflies Are Headed Straight For Colorado This Spring and Keep Your Eyes Peeled, Thousands Of Hummingbirds Are Headed Right For Colorado During Their Migration This Spring.
