Indiana is Home to a (Really Cute) Endangered Bat Species

Did you miss bat appreciation day, too? It’s hard to keep up with all the daily holidays, so I’ve got your back with a slightly late celebration. Because oh my goodness, bats truly are the most adorable little creepy creatures you could ever imagine!

The History and Future of Indiana Bats

Did you know Indiana has its very own species? Indiana Bats were first discovered in Wyandotte Caves, and they’re the social type of bat that love to huddle together for warmth and safety.

According to the Indiana DNR,

The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) is both a state and federally endangered species. The species was listed in the late 1960s due to human disturbance of caves that bats use for winter hibernating. Indiana bats are vulnerable to these disturbances as they hibernate in large colonies in very few caves.

The US Fish & Wildlife Service goes on to explain why the species is endangered.

Threats to the species include human disturbance of hibernating bats, commercialization of caves where the bats hibernate, loss of summer habitat, pesticides and other contaminants, and most recently, the disease white-nose syndrome. The range-wide population has declined by 19% since 2007, when white-nose syndrome first arrived in North America.

More About Bats

For the record, I don’t consider bats creepy, and I’m definitely not concerned that any might morph into dramatic-fanged people. But I am concerned that you might not know exactly how amazing they really are. So, here are 10 bat facts that will BLOW YOUR MIND (or at least entertain you for a few minutes. I sure was entertained writing this!)