3.7 Mammals
Many of our bat species within North Carolina are of conservation concern due in large part to the relatively recent spread of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease afecting hibernating bats that has devastated many bat populations in the eastern United States. Te NCWRC has developed a WNS Surveillance and Response Plan to coordinate a strategy for monitoring bat populations, documenting the occurrence and spread of this disease, and conducting research (NCWRC and USFWS 2013) . 3.7.4 Knowledge Gaps In general, most of the species noted as knowledge-gap priorities are listed because we lack information regarding statewide distribution and abundance, we have few programs in place to monitor the species, or there are questions regarding what factors afect the population size and dis- tribution of these species. For example, studies are needed to assess the occurrence of Allegheny Woodrat and the Eastern Woodrat (coastal and mountain popula- tions) and see if there is any overlap in the distribution of the mountain populations. Additionally, similar information is needed for the Eastern Spotted Skunk due to con- cerns regarding the suspected decline of this species in North Carolina. Suspected factors impacting Eastern Spotted Skunk populations may include habitat alteration associated with modern agricultural and forestry practices, predation, and disease (i.e. rabies) but it is unclear if or how these factors have impacted the abundance of this species.
Little Brown Bat infected with White-nose Syndrome (USFWS) http://digitalmedia.fws.gov Used under license CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Virginia Big-eared Bats (USFWS) http://digitalmedia.fws.gov Used under license CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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