White-nose syndrome (WNS) is an new emerging disease of hibernating bats that has spread from the northeastern to the central United States at an alarming rate. Since the winter of 2007-2008, millions of insect-eating bats in 30 states and five Canadian provinces have died from this devastating disease. Why do scientists care about millions of bats dying from a fungus that attaches to their muzzles and slowly closes off their breathing passages? Bats are an important part of our environment. They don't bother most people, and they consume TONS of bugs every night. Despite efforts to contain it, WNS continues to spread. In March 2016, a little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus alascensis) was found sick in King County, Washington, tested positive for WNS. Genetic analysis on the fungus from this bat found that the strain of fungus was genetically similar to strains found in the eastern U.S. and did not likely originate in Eurasia. This fungus is the cause of one of the biggest mass extinctions of an animal during our lifetime! This summer you may have the chance to visit Timpanogos Caves and explore what it looks like inside a mountain. Since the White Nose Syndrome outbreak biologists from all over the world have been warning people who visit caves to be careful about what you bring inside the cave on your hands, clothing and shoes. If you go to different caves on a vacation you will be asked if you have visited other caves and when. Bats are amazing animals that are vital to the health of our environment and economy - eating tons of insects nightly, pollinating flowers, and spreading seeds that grow new plants and even trees. Everyone across the United States that work in state or national parks is on the alert for this devastating fungus. If you want to be a huge part of citizen science, educate yourself about this disease and tell your friends. The more we talk about this fungus and help people learn how to stop it will literally save millions of bat lives!
Visit this link: https://batslive.pwnet.org The site has lots of pictures and videos about bats. YOU can make a difference in saving the lives of bats in Utah.
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Mrs. TaylorI love science! Everything about the world is interesting and never boring. I love to study plants, animals, insects, and people. My favorite subjects are my students who are the most unique organisms on the planet! Categories |