Indiana bats are migratory animals found commonly in mines and caves in mid-west and eastern United States. . They are faint grey in color with pink nose. The length of their body is 41 – 49 mm with a wingspan of 240-267mm. Their tail is 27-44mm long and they weigh 5-11g. Indiana bats feed on insects. They prefer cool and humid areas for hibernation.

Did you know?

They hibernate in groups of about 5000 individuals during winter season.
The weight of Indiana bat is equal to the weight of three pennies, which is 5-11g.
The genus name, Myotis, means small mouse ears that are characteristic of Indiana bats.
Due to their amiable behavior they got their specie name, sodalis, which means companion.
Mating season for Indiana bats is autumn (before hibernation) but the female bat keeps the sperm until the end of hibernation and becomes pregnant in spring!
Migration occurs in summer season after hibernation where pregnant female Indiana bats move approximately 575km in colonies of about 100 individuals.
Newborn bats start flying one month after they are born!
Bats contribute towards cave ecosystems by their dung that is rich in nutrients that supports several life forms.

Lesson plan note: Help children make a bat hat and bat wings! Draw a bat and let children copy the drawing of bat twice. Attach/stick the two bats on either side of circular strip of paper joined at the end. Let them decorate their hat and have a hat competition. Let them wear the hat and flap their bat wings!

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