Banff hibernating bat discovery has researchers 'super surprised'

For the first time, hibernatingbats have been discovered in a cavein Banff National Park.

Researchers were"super surprisedbut also heartened" that the bats appeared to be in"excellent condition," saidAnneForshner, Parks Canada's lead bat researcher in Banff,YohoandKootenayNational Parks.

The find is especially encouraging because hibernating bats are most susceptible to a deadly fungal disease known as white-nose syndrome that has already killed roughly sixmillion bats in Canada and the U.S.

Parks Canada staff apparently stumbled across two batswhile changing batteries in abat sound monitor there, said Brian Keating, awildlife columnist forCBC'sThe HomestretchandRadio Active.

Researchers speculate that the bats are endangeredLittleBrownMyotis, more commonly known as mouse-eared bats, but they are waiting forfinal confirmation from a genetics laboratory in British Columbia.

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Fungal disease spreading west

White-nosesyndrome was first documented in New York in 2006 and in Eastern Canada in 2010, but has since spreadas far west as Thunder Bay.

The disease interrupts hibernation andforcesbats toquickly deplete thefat reserves they rely on through the winter, which can leave them vulnerable to fatal dehydration or starvation.

It is believed that cavers may be unknowingly spreading the disease by failing to properly decontaminate their gear,soParks Canada staff are nowtrying to stop the westward spread by educating caverson propertechnique.

Few bat species overwinter in Alberta

There are nine species of bats in Alberta, and Banff is believed to have at least sixbut most of those species migrate to the U.S. or Mexico during the winter.

"When you think about it, Canada's a pretty tough place to overwinter in the speciation of bats," Keating said.

"They have to find the perfect cave with the perfect temperature and perfect humidity to survive a Canadian winter."

Because there are very few species of bat that overwinter in Alberta, Keating said it's highly likely thatthesebats are in factLittle Brown Myotis.

Pallas'slong-tongued bats

Keating, who has recently returned from Mexico, also came across interesting species of bat there, including the nectar-feeder bat calledthe Pallas's long-tongued bat.

"They've got the fastest metabolism ever recorded in a mammal, period as fast as a hummingbird."

The bat uses50 per centof its stored fat over the course of a day, butover 80 per centof its energy comes directly from the simple sugars that compose its diet of nectar.

Elongated hairs at the tongue's tip, which lie flat, become engorged with blood when the tongue is protruded, and as a resultthe hairs stand erect.

The tongue tip increases by over 50 per cent in lengthand essentiallycreates an efficient mop.

The efficiency of this feeding mechanism is believed to enable the bats' survival on limited food sources.

"They need to get as much nectar as possible, as quickly as possible, to fuel their energy-intensive lifestyle," he said.

You can follow Keating's adventures online onTwitterandFacebook.