Expert to discuss rare bats Thursday at Jackson cave

[Wayne Harrison]

Tuesday, July 11, 2006
From staff reports
Huntsville Times

Area residents will have a chance Thursday to learn about the endangered Indiana gray bat at the home of the largest roosting colony of the bats east of the Mississippi.

Keith Hudson, a state wildlife biologist, will talk about the bats at Sauta Cave, near mile marker 132 on U.S. 72 west of Scottsboro, at 7 p.m.

About 250,000 bats emerge from the cave about 30 minutes before dark. Participants should wear sturdy shoes and a poncho with hood and bring a flashlight.

The Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama arranged the presentation. For more information, call The Land Trust at 256-534-5263 or visit http://www.landtrust-hsv.org .


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[tropicalbats]

Very minor note. There are Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis), and there are gray bats (Myotis grisescens), but there is no species commonly called the Indiana gray bat. Gray bats exit Sauta cave. Go if you live close enough.

Keith (not same Keith as giving the talk!!!)