Bats seek safe shelter for winter
Bats in Hesse are currently looking for a safe place to hibernate. The Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) Hesse is calling on people to help the animals in their search. "The perfect winter home for a bat is frost-free, with a temperature between 4 and 9 degrees, has high humidity, good opportunities to hide and is safe from predators," said bat expert Petra Gatz from Nabu Hessen. These conditions are provided by tunnels, vaulted cellars, caves and tree hollows, for example. "Some species also hibernate in shelters in residential buildings."
For example, artificial crevice roosts such as bat boards or flat boxes on gable walls are often used by the animals. These can be bought in DIY stores and specialist shops or built yourself. There is no need to worry: "The bats don't damage anything. They are only in one place for a short period of time and urgently need this shelter," said Gatz.
In most cases, residents only notice the bats through their droppings. However, according to the Nature Conservation Act, renovation work must wait until the animals have moved again, explained Gatz. According to NABU Hessen, all 21 bat species found in Hessen are on the Red List and some are threatened with extinction. The animals, which hibernate from November to March, are therefore strictly protected.
According to Gatz, special care should be taken with firewood: Some species use the woodpiles as winter quarters and are often not discovered when they are brought in. Due to an energy-saving mode, it takes up to 20 minutes for bats to fly and make themselves noticed. As a result, many animals are accidentally burned.
Assisting in nature conservation is crucial for bat survival. Providing safe hibernation sites, such as bat boxes or untouched tree hollows, can attract animals like bats, contributing to nature conservation efforts and aiding animal species that are commonly found in nature and on the Red List.
Source: www.dpa.com
