Baturday News is a weekly blog written by Rachael, a high school student, bat advocate, and Save Lucy volunteer. Rachael’s interest in bats was sparked by the big brown bats that used the outside of her former home for a winter roost. She now enjoys watching the bats fly over her home on summer evenings. Rachael has been writing the Baturday News for over three years.
Hi everyone! I hope you all had a good week. I have been trying to enjoy the last little bit of summer vacation. Sadly, school starts on the 28th this year, which means I only have one more week of vacation to enjoy. I hope it’s a good one!
This past week has been a difficult one for all of humanity. I am at a loss of what to say about what has been happening in the world, except to say that my thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the events of the past week. A lot of people have been quoting the wisdom of great people like Mr. Nelson Mandela. I would like to remind everyone of the wisdom of Mr. A. A. Milne. He was the author of the Winnie the Pooh books and I believe that he also had a lot to say about peacefully living with others. One of my favorite quotes is from little Eeyore. He said, “a little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.” If people could just try to be a little more considerate of other people, maybe this week will be a better one. So, what do you all say? Let’s all make this coming week the spectacular week that it has the potential to be. Let us be kind and considerate and caring toward other people. Please.
And, now for the bat news…
I found an article about the little Yoda bat. I wrote about him a while ago because he looks a little like Yoda from Star Wars. He is a cute little fruit bat with a big, goofy smile on its face. He has bright fur, wrinkly ears, and absolutely LOVES mushy fruit.
The Yoda bat was first seen during a field survey in Papua New Guinea in the late 1990s. It is part of the genus Nyctimene, which consists of 18 species. Until recently, scientists were debating whether this bat was a completely different species or if it belonged with another, already identified species. Now, scientists have decided that this bat is its own species. So, the world has a “new” bat! Since it is now being recognized as a new species, it is getting a new name. The scientists decided that since most people from Papua New Guinea probably haven’t watched Star Wars, the bat shouldn’t be named after a character they don’t know. Little Yoda has been renamed as the Hamamas Tube-Nosed fruit bat, Nyctimene wrightae sp. nov. Hamamas means “happy” in the local language, so it is a fitting name for this adorable, smiling bat.
If you would like to read more about this bat and how he got his name, you can read the article here.
I would like to remind everyone that there will be a total solar eclipse this Monday, August 21. This eclipse will be visible everywhere on North America, but some people will have a better view than others. Here in the DC area, it won’t be a completely total eclipse, but it should still be amazing. Please remember not to look directly at the sun during an eclipse unless you have special eclipse glasses. Looking at the sun will permanently damage your eyes, so please be safe while you enjoy this amazing event.
I would also like to remind everyone that in honor of International Bat Night, Bat Fest, Arlington will take place next Saturday, August 26 from 7:50-8:35 PM at the Gulf Branch Nature Center. If you are in the area, please come meet some of Save Lucy’s bats. It should be a great time!
I hope you all have a good week!