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This is a major gray bat (Myotis grisescens) hibernaculum. Over 200,000 gray bats hibernate in this cave. For more information: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_Bat I got to see first-hand how easily the hibernating bats are disturbed. Any winter disturbance makes them fly and use precious stored body fat. Any one who enters the hibernation area causes disturbance. I now really understand why these caves are closed and protected. Biologist only take a census every three years to reduce the impact of the disturbance.

title	tennessee wildlife resources agency TWRA protected site, hawkins county, tennessee 1
date yyyymmdd hr:mn	2010:01:30 11:04:40
source	Flickr
flickr_agent	alan_cressler

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