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Bat From Page A1 In making his declaration to the Legislature, Governor Mark Warner said, “I see no harm in designating a state bat, no matter how odd-looking the Virginia Big-Eared bat might be.” However, I am compelled to add this. At this point Governor Warner broke into uncharacteristic prose: , I took some grief for my nudist park pun. But resist I cannot on this one. I will sign this bill, more or less of free will. „ But I can’t do it without having some fun. We have a state dog and a fish and a bird. And of the fossil I’m sure you have heard. So why not a bat? What’s wrong with that? The state beverage is no more absurd. Upon my signature now it appears, The designation will now last for years. I’ll spare you the Latin If you’re seeking the bat in A guidebook, it’s the one with big ears. I think our bat’s up to the test. If you doubt it, just ask Adam West. He was TV’s Bruce Wayne — the caped crusader’s real name — and could ‘Zap!’ and ‘Kapow!’ with the best. Searching for a siting of this unique bat could be difficult as it has been listed as an endangered species. However, look for a bat that is about three and one-half to four inches long with, as Governor Warner said, big ears. The ears on this bat are more than one inch long with two large lumps or glands on the muzzle. They are pale to dark brown on the back and light brown underneath and are often mistaken for Rafinesque’s Big-Eared bats, which are found in Kentucky. Virginia Big-Eared bats also have short toe hairs, in contrast to Rafinesque’s Big-Eared bats who have hairs on their feet that extend past the toes. The Virginia Big-Eared bat can be found in isolated populations in eastern Kentucky, eastern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia and northwestern North Carolina. They prefer caves with limestone bedrock, dominated by oak-hickory or beech-maple hemlock forest, with temperatures ranging from 32 to 54 degrees fahrenheit. If there is a siting, just be certain to remember that this strange looking creature is one of our own, a designated representative of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Jeanne Spath may be reached at jspath@timespapers.com
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