Squirrels at the Feeder

Learn About Chipmunks, Bats, Squirrels and Birds!

What Do Pileated Woodpeckers Eat?

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Pileated woodpeckers are easily identifiable by it’s massive size, pinpointed head plumage and bold streaks of red, black, and white.  You will often see them perched on the sides of dead or dying trees, and if you’re lucky, you might occasionally find one battering away at a section of wood, as woodpeckers are known to do.

Once you’ve seen one of these birds working its way through a tree, you might find yourself wondering, “What do Pileated Woodpeckers eat?”.

Hungry Pileated Woodpeckers

Photo Credit: Charles de Millie-Isles on Flickr

 

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Pet Squirrels: What You Need To Know!

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They’re a common sight throughout most of North America, and to many, squirrels are as cute and furry as they are entertaining. They’re small, too—they don’t bark, and they even seem to have personalities all their own.

It’s no surprise that squirrels are considered by some to be great pets. But this all sounds too good to be true…can a cute, friendly, furry little critter that scales trees in a flash and hides nuts in its cheeks really be a manageable pet?

In this article, we’ll be exploring the many reasons why squirrels can become great pets. And, we’ll also be discussing the many lesser-known features of squirrels that can present challenges to prospective pet squirrel owners.

Squirrels as Pets

Photo Credit: Pierre-Selim on Flickr

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Are Bats Rodents? – That Is A Toothy Question!

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Due to their uncanny resemblance to rats and mice, bats are often presumed to be flying rodents, a misunderstanding that furthers the animals sour reputation of being a pest.

But, are bats really rodents? Are they even remotely related to Rodentia, the family of mammals that are classified as ‘rodents’?

No, bats are not rodents.  The difference between bats and rodents is based upon their dental structures. The teeth of rodents are highly specialized and have two key features not seen in bat teeth.

Let’s clear up some confusion about the subject while also helping to educate people about the true nature of Chiroptera (bats).

Resting Bat

Photo Credit: Gilles San Martin on Flickr

 

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Why Are Little Brown Bats Important

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There are more than 1,300 species of bats throughout the world. Many of them are threatened or endangered, yet they are all vitally important to the ecosystems in which they live. But, among all of the bats that exist, one in particular serves an especially important role—that bat is The Little Brown Bat.

Why is this ‘little’ bat such a big deal? Aren’t all bats the same, anyway? Not quite. As it turns out, The Little Brown Bat leads a fascinating life that is a crucial link in the overall food chain. In this article, we’ll be explaining why by examining this remarkable flying mammal, it’s behavior, roosting characteristics, and other features.

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Is Bat Poop Dangerous to Humans?

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Perhaps you’ve heard that bat feces (also termed ‘bat guano’) can be harmful to humans. Or, maybe you’ve been told to stay away from caves or abandoned mines because of the dangerous accumulations of guano that can be present there.

Is there any truth based on these warnings? Is bat poop dangerous to people?

Bat poop is dangerous to humans.  Old piles of guano can contain spores that are known to cause a condition known as Histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis is a potentially fatal disease that can be contracted without the victim even knowing it. While human Histoplasmosis infections originating from bat guano are not thought to be very common, there have been documented cases stretching back for decades.

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[SURPRISE!] Do Bats Fly During The Day?

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Bats are known for their zig-zagged, often erratic-looking flight paths. They can sometimes seem a little ADD as they dart here and there, constantly shifting their focus from one meal to the next (many bats are insectivores, eating flying insects right out of the air). But, because bats are often sighted in the evening or dusk hours, it’s not always easy to get a good read on them.

The nocturnal behavior bats exhibit can prompt some to wonder: “Do bats fly during the day?”. In this article, we’ll be answering this question head-on, and we’ll be exploring the many reasons by bats take flight at all. And, we’ll be answering some related questions in our ‘Bat Flight FAQ’ located towards the end.

Flying Bat

Photo Credit: Diego Lizcano on Flickr

 

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Do Bats Carry Diseases? You Betcha!

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With as nimble and mobile as they are, one thing is for sure: bats get around. Not only are bats notable for flying long distances to migrate, they also spend large swaths of time packed close together with other members of their colony, in their preferred cave, abandoned building, or other roost.

Because of their close proximity to each other, it’s not surprising that bats transmit some communicable diseases among themselves. And, because bats are mammals, they are prone to rabies infections. But, rabies isn’t the only bat-borne disease that poses a danger to humans—in this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the variety of diseases bats are known to carry, and we’ll be dispelling some myths related to the topic.

Flying Bat

Photo Credit: Diego Tirira on Flickr

 

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Do Bats Bite Humans? Swooping Attacks and FAQs

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If you’ve ever happened upon a bat—whether in flight or while it’s hanging out in its roost—you might have been a little spooked. The reason is understandable: A lot of people are afraid of bats as bats have developed a bit of a sour reputation, a reputation that hasn’t been helped by Hollywood, horror films, and rumors about bats swooping down from the sky and biting humans.

Let’s take a look at the question, “Do Bats Bite Humans?” and learn the facts about this subject.

Yes, bats do bite humans and getting bitten or scratched by a bat is something that everyone is right to be afraid of, but not because it happens all the time.  It is important to understand that while a frightened and trapped bat will bite people, bats do not attack humans.

In this article, we’ll be looking at the real statistics related to bat bites in the United States, and we’ll be shedding some light on some non-truths related to this topic.

Bat Teeth

Photo Credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service

 

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Are Bats Protected By Federal Law? Some But Not All!

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Bats are and always have been a part of human existence for as long as we’ve been walking the Earth. Ever since early hunter-gatherer Man encountered bats in caves, our two species have been coexisting fairly successfully.

Every now and again, bats will establish a roost in an abandoned building, mineshaft, or some other manmade structure. When humans return to these places—whether to explore or rehabilitate them—they often find that they must contend with bats by either relocating them or eliminating them.

Because of the inevitable encounters that we’re going to have with bats, it’s important to know what the laws are regarding their federal protection status. In this article, we’re going to forego a discussion about state laws in favor of the topic of federal laws that specifically protect bats. Knowing what these laws are and where they apply will help to keep you out of hot water with the government.

Protected Bat

Photo Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife on Flickr

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[Surprise!] How Many Chipmunks Live Together In A Burrow?

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Have you ever stumbled across a chipmunk’s burrow system? Given how extensive these things can be, you probably assumed that chipmunks follow some kind of joint family structure where they live together in their burrows. At least that’s what I thought until a quick search on chipmunks and their living habits told me otherwise.

How Many Chipmunks Live In A Burrow

Some of the results of my search were ambiguous at best, but here’s what I found out when I dug into the question, “How many chipmunks live in a burrow?”

Research indicates that, except for when a mother is raising her babies, only one chipmunk lives in a burrow.

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