Signs of Spring: Report Your Observations!

For years, bats' mysterious lives have presented challenges to scientists and others trying to learn about them. The details of their lives are hidden under the cover of darkness and facts about them are not easy to discover. People studying the life cycle of the lesser long-nosed bat in the desert Southwest were puzzled by many things. Among the questions they asked were these:

Why aren't these bats found in Arizona and New Mexico during the winter months?
Where do they go---and why?
Why do they return?

These facts may (or may not!) serve as clues to help you figure out the answers to the questions above.

Why do YOU think lesser long-nosed bats migrate? After making your own range map and thinking about the facts on the Bat Chat page, you'll be able to answer that question like a scientist! In this activity, you'll make a Lepto range map, which is a map that shows the boundaries within which a species can be found. However, your range map does not tell you WHEN the bats were seen at each place. Therefore, we've provided a blooming calendar that shows some of the most important nectar sources available to bats at different locations.

Find a good map of Mexico. Locate the places listed below on your map. The places are based on bat sightings at various locations in Mexico and the U.S.
Next, use an atlas to learn about the physical parameters of the bats' range. Find answers to questions like these: What is the rainfall? What is the climate of the region and how does it change with the seasons? What landforms, vegetation and general elevations exist in this area?
Write a paragraph telling why you think lesser long-nosed bats migrate.

Note: The localities marked with * are as stated in the literature. The rest represent our best guess as to the location of the closest town.

UNITED STATES:
Ajo, Arizona
Casa Grande, Arizona
Portal, Arizona
Sierra Vista, Arizona
Tucson Arizona
Animas New Mexico

MEXICO:
Buena Vista Baja *
Mulege Baja *
Candelaria Baja
Santa Rosa Baja
La Paz Baja
Puerto Escondido Baja
Ligui Baja
Tuxtla Gutierrez Chiapas *
Cintalapa Chiapas
San Cristobal de las Casas Chiapas
Tonala Chiapas
Uruachic Chihuahua
Batopilas Chihuahua
La Ciudad Durango
Mezquital Durango
Zihuatanejo Guerrero
Petatlan Guerrero
Tenexpa Guerrero
San Jeronimo Guerrero
Acapulco Guerrero
Chilpanango Guerrero
Balsas Guerrero
Apaxtla Guerrero
Chanela Jalisco *
Bolanos Ja;isco *
Lake Chapala Jalisco *
San Martin Hidalgo Jalisco *
El Tuito Jalisco
Autlan Jalisco
Tuxpan Jalisco
Valle de Bravo Mexico
Tejupilco Mexico
Tenancingo Mexico
Pomaro Michoacan
Playa Azul Michoacan
Infiernillo Michoacan
Nuevo Churumuco Michoacan
Zacapa Michoacan
Indaparapeo Michoacan
Acuitzio Michoacan
Acaponeta Nayarit *
Tepic Nayarit
Composleta Nayarit
Nayar Nayarit
Los Herreras Nuevo Leon
Mitla Oaxaca *
Teotepec Oaxaca
Napala Oaxaca
Oaxaca Oaxaca
Etla Oaxaca
Tehuantepec Oaxaca
Juchitan Oaxaca
Techuacan Puebla
Atlixco Puebla
Matehuala San Luis Potosi
Arista San Luis Potosi
Pozas de Santa Ana San Luis Potosi
Rioverde San Luis Potosi
Rayon San Luis Potosi
San Miguel Zapotitian Sinaloa *
Eldorado Sinaloa *
El Fuerte Sinaloa
Toro Sinaloa
Badiraguato Sinaloa
Pericos Sinaloa
Quelite Sinaloa
Concordia Sinaloa
Sonoita Sonora *
Carbo Sonora *
Bahia Kino Sonora *
Alamos Sonora *
Tajito Sonora *
Escuinapa Sinaloa *
Hermosillo Sonora *
Mayatan Sonora
Guaymas Sonora
San Pedro Sonora
Bacabachi Sonora
Alamos Sonora
Tapizuelas Sonora
Llera Tamanlipas
Santander Jimenez Tamanlipas
Veracruz Veracruz