On 13 January 2016, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) issued regulations designed to protect the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), one of several types of bat that have suffered steep population declines because of white-nose disease. The measures constitute an update to interim rules that accompanied a decision last April, which designated the […]

White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans that affects bats. It affects bats primarily in winter when they’re hibernating. Kate Langwig of the University of California, Santa Cruz (along with other researchers) is studying the disease at 30 different sites across North America. Six species of bats comprised her study sample that […]

Condensed from an article by Michael Greshko, National Geographic, 17 November 2015 Taglines: *Bats use a complex social calculus when they share regurgitated meals”. *Vampire bats remember who has helped them”. Vampire bats eat only blood—taking small amounts without harming their hosts, which include cattle, horses, chickens, and, of course, native wildlife – and have […]