Indiana Bat

Last weekend I spent the night at my grandparent’s cabin in Owen County, Indiana. The cabin is situated next to a small lake and is in the middle of a wooded area.

Having spent much time at “the lake” during my childhood, I have always been ready to encounter the wild side of nature. Frogs, lizards, snakes, spiders, opossums, raccoons, and beavers are just a few of the critters one might encounter.

But this visit was a bit different. It was around midnight, and I was talking to my sister in the family room. All of a sudden, I saw a small black shadow dart between us. Back and forth it flew as my sister and I ducked our heads out of the way.

Soon, I realized we were cohabitating with a BAT! Yes, a real, live BAT!

After a minute or so, the little fur ball flew toward the ceiling and held tight to the wooden wall. And that is where we left our tiny friend. When we woke up the next morning, the bat was gone. Hopefully it had left the same way it had come in.

 One thing I knew for sure is that I had found another MUSE! And I couldn’t wait to do some research!

The bat I had witnessed was most likely an Indiana Bat. Yes, Indiana has its own species of bats. The reason they are called Indiana bats is because more than half of this species’ population hibernates in the caves of Indiana.

Sadly, I found out that the Indiana bat is endangered. This is mostly due to human disturbances. When people go caving they may spook the bats out of hibernation. This causes them to use too much of their stored energy, which causes them to die. So, please, stay away from caves during the hibernation months of bats.

The Indiana bat is tiny. It grows about two inches long, although its wing span can reach up to nine inches. Most Indiana bats weigh about one ounce.

At dusk, you can witness these little guys darting around hunting insects. The Indiana bat eats only flying insects including moths, beetles, and mosquitoes. YAY! Chow down, my friends!

Female bats give birth to one “pup” in late June. The pup will be able to fly after one month.

With this new knowledge, what kind of story could you write? Maybe these “what if” questions will help you get started.

WHAT IF your main character found people intentionally disturbing bats during their hibernation? Maybe they are trying to capture the bats to sell to pet stores. What would your main character do about this?

WHAT IF Indiana bats were mythical creatures in disguise? Instead of a vampire, what do Indiana bats morph into?

WHAT IF an Indiana bat landed on your main character’s shoulder and spoke something in his or her ear. What would it say, and how would this advance your plot?

The possibilities are endless, and please leave your own “what if” questions in the comment section below. I’d love to see what you come up with.

Grab a cup of hot cocoa, a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s begin. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I look forward to seeing where you take us.

With Imagination,

Professor Watermelon

P.S. The word of the day is “hibernation”. Here is the definition: to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition, as bears and certain other animals.