Dick had an encounter with a housecat, and ended up requiring total amputation of his right wing. He is the soul of patience as Brent gently extends his remaining wing for our photographer. He's obviously become accustomed to being handled and sits quietly in Brent's hand, as if enjoying the warmth there. S ilver-haired bats are larger than little brown bats and are generally only seen during their spring and fall migrations. No one is exactly sure where they spend their summers, although like many Canadians they winter in Arizona and other warmer climes.
T here are nine species of bats in Alberta, though only three are commonly seen.
Because these animals are at their busiest during darkness they are not often seen unless you are actively looking for them. C ontrary to old wive's tales, bats pose little or no threat to humans. They are no more likely to carry rabies than any other mammal, though the same kind of precautions should be taken when handling an injured or ill bat as with handling any injured animal. Cats and bats were persecuted relentlessly during the middle ages because of their supposed links to the occult. We've just about grown out of this silliness with cats, but many people still cling to outmoded superstitions where bats are concerned.