What to Know About Endangered Bats in Maine

Bats are often stigmatized as being dirty while considered by many to be pests. There is also a fear of bats carrying rabies. Most of the stereotypes surrounding bats are false: they have surprisingly good eyesight, and only one bat in every 20,000 has rabies.

Furthermore, bats play an important part in Maine’s ecosystem, not least by keeping disease-spreading insect populations in check. While many bird species eat insects, most of those are diurnal. Bats are the main creatures responsible for hunting insects nocturnally. Now, Maine bats are threatened by White-Nose Syndrome.

White-Nose Syndrome is caused by a recently discovered fungus, Geomyces destructans, which grows in cold, damp environments such as the caves and mines where many species of bat hibernate. The common name came from the white fungus found growing on the noses of affected individuals. It can also grow on the wings of bats, and poses a significant threat to bat populations and to the overall health of the Maine ecosystem.

Of the eight species of bat that can be found in Maine, five species are at risk. These are the little brown bat, big brown bat, northern long-eared bat, eastern small-footed bat, and tri-colored bat. The other three bat species live mostly in trees, and are not as susceptible to White-Nose Syndrome as the cave and mine dwelling bats.

While White-Nose Syndrome does not have any effect on humans, it has been shown that humans are potential carriers of the disease. To contain the spread of the disease, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has asked people to refrain from handling living or dead bats, to not enter caves or mines during winter hibernation season, and to be aware of cave and mine closures and decontamination procedures.