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Bats in Oklahoma Bats in Oklahoma are insect eaters. Most only measure three inches in length with wingspans of about 10 inches. They are mammals and give birth to live young, usually only one per year. The young are nourished on mother's milk until mature enough to fly and feed on their own. Specially adapted to a life in darkness, these animals have decreased their competition with other animals.

The bat's "scream" is actually pulses of sound emitted at frequencies too high for humans to hear. The sound bounces from any object in the bat's path to its ears and is instantly identified. By this method, the bat is able to "see" its prey in total darkness, while avoiding obstacles. The prey is caught in midair and swallowed while the bat continues to fly. One bat may eat as many as 3,000 mosquitoes each night.

Photograph of cave opening Bats hibernate during winter, surviving on stored fat through the cold months when insects are not available. Disturbances of the bats during hibernation can cause them to use their energy reserve and reduce their chance of winter survival.

Bats are also susceptible to pesticides. Chemicals sprayed for insect control can concentrate in the bat's milk. Young bats may get a lethal dose of the chemicals in this way and a year's production is lost.

The most threatened bat species in Oklahoma is the Ozark big-eared bat. Having extremely restricted roosting requirements, the total population consists of a few hundred individuals. A majority of these bats live in only one or two caves. This makes the bats vulnerable to any type of disturbance.

[Feedback] [Regional Refuge Index] [Southwest Regional Home Page]
[National Wildlife Refuge System] [FWS National Home Page] 
[Ozark Plateau NWR Home Page]

http://sturgeon.irm.r2.fws.gov/u2/refuges/oklahoma/ozark.html - revised April 15, 2002

KEYWORDS= wildlife, animals, bats, caves, Oklahoma, refuge

 

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