The Townsend's big-eared bats have been documented in every county in Washington. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has classified these bats as a Federal Species of Concern.
Townsend's big-eared bats are especially vulnerable to human disturbance.
These bats have very large ears and have two fleshy protrusions on their nose. They are medium sized bats. They are a darker brown on top and slightly lighter brown underneath.
They use caves, mines, hollow trees, old buildings and barn for roosting. In the summer female bats roost in communal maternity colonies. The males roost in small groups or solitarily.
In the winter they hibernate and can be found in mixed colonies, but the males tend to hibernate in warmer areas than the females.
Females give birth to single pups. They are born naked. The are able to fly at about two weeks. The average life-span is sixteen years.
Townsend's bats love to eat moths!
I love the Frenchman Coulee area. I didn't place this cache up high on the rocks. I wanted to bring people to this area who may not want or be able to climb up there. Please continue down the old Vantage highway. There is so much to see including rock climbers.
There is plenty of room to park nearby. Please re-hide the cache as it was so any potential rock climbing muggles don't disturb it.
***Congratulations to Mr. Gadget #2 for First To Find!***