The Indiana bat is an endangered species that lives in caves and dead trees in the Midwest and Eastern U.S. It faces threats from white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has killed over a million bats since 2006. The disease causes white fungal growth around the bats' faces and wings. Indiana bats are also threatened by habitat loss through deforestation and human disturbance of caves where they hibernate in large numbers. Conservation efforts aim to protect important hibernation caves and educate the public about the bats' decline.

1. The Indiana Bat : Myotis sodalis

2.  The Indiana bat is an endangered species that
exists in the Great Smoky Mountain National
Park. It was first listed in 1967 primarily due to
episodes of human disturbance during
hibernation killing large numbers of bats.
Indiana bats are extremely vulnerable to
disturbance because they hibernate in large
numbers in only a few caves (the largest
hibernation caves support from 20,000 to 50,000
bats) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,2011) .

3.  Indiana bats are very small. This species only
weighs one-quarter of an ounce (about the
weight of three pennies) although in flight they
have a wingspan of 9 to 11 inches. The fur of the
Indiana Bat is dark-brown to black. They
hibernate during winter in caves or, occasionally,
in abandoned mines. During the summer
months they roost under the peeling bark of
dead and decaying trees. Indiana bats eat a
variety of flying insects found along rivers or
lakes and in uplands (U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 2011).

4.  Metabolic Processes- “The diet of Indiana bats is made up of small insects with soft
bodies, but may also include moths and beetles. At the end of the summer, the bats
change from eating insects with soft bodies to insects with hard bodies” (BioKIDS,
2011). This shows that the Indiana bat is capable of nutrient uptake, processing, and
waste elimination. This organism has an animal cell which allows it to store energy.
 Generative Processes- the Indiana bat is a mammal which reproduces through sexual
reproduction and provides young with milk. The Indiana bat mates in the fall, but does
not become pregnant until the spring when the hibernation period is over (BioKIDS,
2011). The gestation process is about 60 days and the female only gives birth to one
offspring each year.
 Responsive Processes- the Indiana bat’s fur color ranges from black to light brown
depending on the specific location of habitat. The fur color allows them to blend in in
forest habitats and caves. When alarmed and for general communication purposes
the Indiana bat communicates with a range of sounds. These bats are “cluster” bats
and travel in groups for protection.
 Control Processes- because the Indiana bat is classified as a living organism it does
engage in control processes.
 Structural Processes- the Indiana bat contains animal cells, organ systems, tissues
and carries out all four of the life processes.

5.  The Indiana bat does have specialized structures that
allow them to thrive and survive. The eyes of all bats
are well adapted to low illumination, having mainly
rod-based retinas, large corneal surfaces and lenses,
and generally large receptor fields. Bats can easily
detect small differences in brightness on clear nights,
and the visual acuity remains relatively good in dim
illuminations (Johan Eklof, 2006). The sonar abilities
and wings of the bat are also specialized structures
that allow this animal to survive. Their specific wing
design allows them to fly and live in cave
environments, sonar abilities allow them to
communicate and be warned of predators.

6.  Specific Traits of the Indiana Bat:
 The size of the feet and the length of the toe hairs are
characteristics used to differentiate the Indiana bat
from other bats (Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife
Service, 2011). The specific wing design, size, and call
of the Indiana bat are also considered genetic traits.
 The Indiana Bat interestingly enough only mates
within its own species.
 Conditions that may prevent survival: The Indiana Bat
is in great danger especially today in the 21st century
of a disease called White Nose Syndrome. This disease
is not genetic and kills mass amounts of hibernating
bats.

7. Where does the
Indiana Bat call home?
Biome: Temperate Deciduous
Forest. Midwest, Eastern Areas
of the U.S. Indiana, Kentucky,
Virginia, Tennessee.
Ecosystem/Habitat: Caves and
dead and/or hollowed out
trees. The Indiana Bat’s role in
its environment is to keep the
ecosystem’s carrying capacity
of insects within a health range.
The females live in colonies,
carry, birth, and nurse the
young; while males tend to lead
solitary lives.
Place in the Food Chain: The
Indiana Bat is a consumer;
more specifically a insectical
carnivore. Feeding mainly on
night time insects such as
mosquitoes.

8. Environmental
Changes and Threats
to the Indiana Bat
The Indiana Bat is a cave dwelling
species that is currently suffering
from a highly contagious disease
referred to as White Nose
Syndrome. Due to this disease,
budget cuts in the nation’s
national forests as well as
deforestation and changes in
climate in the Midwest and
Eastern portion of the U.S. the
Indiana Bat population is rapidly
decreasing in numbers and
relocating in habitats that are not
familiar to them.
In order to protect this species of
bats certain areas of caves and
abandon mines have been
designated as a “critical habitat”
and closed to humans other than
environmental officials. (U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, 2011).

9.  White Nose Syndrome: An illness that has killed over a million bats since
2006 when dead and dying bats, with the distinctive "white nose," were
first observed. "White nose" refers to a ring of white fungus often seen
on the faces and wings of affected bats. First observed in a cave in New
York in February 2006, white-nose syndrome has since spread from New
York caves to caves in Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Bats afflicted
with white-nose syndrome have been found in over 25 caves and mines
in the northeastern U.S. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has called for a
moratorium on caving activities in the affected areas, and strongly
recommends that any clothing or equipment used in such areas be
decontaminated after each use (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2011).
 What’s the Controversy? Many national parks and states affected do not
have the financial resources to really move forward with protecting these
bats and finding the root to of the White Nose problem. In addition,
many outdoorsman do not agree with closing caves, mines, and areas
where bats have been found with White Nose.

10.  Click the link below to view a video on White
Nose Syndrome:
 http://www.cavebiota.com/
 Click on “The Battle for the Bats: White Nose
Syndrome.”

11.  Biokids.Com (2011). University of Michigan.
 http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Myotis_sodalis/.
 Cave Biota (2011). Hoosier National Forest & Indiana Karst Conservancy.
 Accessed on: 10-10-11. http://www.cavebiota.com/
 Eklof, Johan. (2003-2006). Vision in Echolocating Bats.
 http://fladdermus.net/thesis.htm.

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2011). Accessed on: 9-27-11.
 http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered/mammals/inba/index.html.

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2011). Indiana Division
 Accessed on: 9-27-11. http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered/mammals/inba/index.html.