Bitterroot Outdoor Journal – Halloween Animals

Bob Danley talked about Halloween in this week's Bitterroot Outdoor Journal (Heard Thursday mornings about 7:45 a.m. on KLYQ 1240 Radio). The traditions that have evolved over the years have included certain animals such as bats. Of the 1,300 species worldwide, only three species drink blood and none of them are in Western Montana. There are 12 different species of bats and they are active all year long. If you see a bat in the daylight and it's acting strangely (not flying and lethargic), don't touch it. It possibly has rabies, which can be passed on to humans very easily.

Bob also noted the raven with that black color and harsh birdcall that make you think of Halloween movies. However, Native American myth describes Raven as the "trickster" and there are some great stories about the trickster's intelligence.
Back on the ground, a fungus called Witches Butter is odd-looking, almost brain-like, and is black and orange (see photo below). Speaking of fall colors, the Wooly Bear Caterpillar is black and orange and is a common predictor of the possible severity of winter. (see photo below)