Back Cover

What is it?

Our photographers have been busy exploring the intricacies of the Missouri outdoors. See if you can guess this month’s natural wonder. The answer is revealed below.

Red Bat

On the back cover and right is an Eastern red bat by Noppadol Paothong. Red bats are tree bats and roost amongst leaves. They are the most commonly seen species in the state. Occurring statewide, they emerge at dusk to forage along woods edges, over streams, along roads and around street lights. When temperatures drop below freezing, red bats nestle into leaf litter on the ground and hibernate until temperatures rise. Live bats should only be handled by trained individuals who have received proper vaccinations.