BATS AT THE REFUGE…WHAT A SHOW!
September 2019
Cedar Key resident Joe Hand and friend Mark Daniel, out on an excursion into the Refuge lately, came upon this dramatic activity at the Bat House at the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge. Located just fifteen minutes from Cedar Key up State Road 347, the Bat House sits just north of the Refuge Headquarters building. The Bat House is always available to the public and the best time to visit is sunset.
The Florida Museum, at https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/about/, articulates interesting facts about bats https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/five-facts-bats-in-florida/:
LOTS OF BATS EXIST
More than 1,300 species of bats exist around the world. Florida recognizes 13 native species.
BATS EAT LOTS OF INSETS
Insectivores, many bats eat their body weight in in insects every night; they eat wasps, flies, ants, mosquitoes, beetles, and more.
BAT GUANO IS AMAZING
As it contains nitrogen, phosphate and potassium, all essential to the growth of plants, bat guano is an amazing fertilizer.
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