Editor’s Note: The Burrowing Owl is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
One of our newest patients (25-101) came in thin with no visible injuries – so what’s up with this evening bat?
Due to Florida’s recent low temperatures, we suspect this bat has been “cold stunned.” During cold weather, many bats will enter a state of torpor, similar to hibernation, to conserve energy. Abrupt temperature drops may trigger bats to enter torpor before they are able to return safely to their roosts, leaving them “cold stunned” and vulnerable.
This evening bat was found on a sidewalk in Bonita Springs. The finders brought the bat back to Fort Myers and left her on a tree overnight, hoping the bat could recover on her own. Evening bats are highly social creatures that migrate south with their colony during the fall. They must be released within 5 miles of where they were found – otherwise, they will expend all their energy trying to get home.
Evening bats are a small species, weighing between 8 and 14 grams. Despite their small size, bats serve a critical role in the ecosystem by eating insects. It is estimated that bats save the United States agriculture industry over $3 billion per year by preventing insect crop damage and pesticide costs. Initially, our patient weighed in on the low end of her species weight range. But she is eating well, gaining weight, and staying warm. We are hopeful that this bat will regain her strength and be able to return to her colony when the weather is warmer.
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