The UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Library Royal Palm Beach Branch Children and Teens Department conducted an informative Zoom presentation entitled “Animals That Make Us Shiver – Bats Get a Bat Rap”. This presentation was delivered on Tue, Oct 19, 4:00 pm. It is timely for #BatAppreciationMonth which is celebrated by bat lovers in October. UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie Extension Agent Ken Gioeli shared common myths and misconceptions about bats in South Florida during this informative presentation. Hopefully you will do away with any inaccurate myths and misconceptions that might be giving bats a bat rap in South Florida.

I shot the video footage below at the UF Bat House in Gainesville, FL. This was before they built the third “bat barn”. For those people visiting the central Florida area and have an interest in bats, I strongly recommend taking a little side trip to the UF Bat House right before dusk. Bring a good camera.

Resources
UF/IFAS EDIS Bat Publications
Bats of Florida Poster
Bats of Florida EDIS Publication
Bat Guano Fertilizer Properties

UF/IFAS has bat information available. The UF/IFAS Florida Master Naturalist Program is another educational opportunity for people to learn about bats and other mammals in upland, freshwater and coastal systems. This program can be accessed online at http://masternatural.ifas.ufl.edu

External Links
Bat Conservation International

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With offices in each of Florida’s 67 counties, UF/IFAS Extension works to bring science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.

UF/IFAS Extension programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, or national origin.

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