Virginia State Mammal
Virginia Big-Eared Bat (common name) Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus (scientific name) Overview The Virginia big-eared bat is a nocturnal, flying insectivore that captures its prey by picking them off trees and plants or capturing them in mid-air. Unlike many other bat species, it does not migrate, instead hibernating over the winter. Only 10,000 Virginia big-eared bats are reported to remain nationwide and several measures—like the protection of caves and other habitats from interference by human activity—have been undertaken to safeguard them from extinction. The Virginia big-eared bat was declared the official state bat of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2005. Close-up STATUS Official State Bat ALSO KNOWN AS Western big-eared bat, long-eared bat, lump-nosed bat PHYSICAL DETAILS A medium-sized bat with broad wings and two large, fleshy glands on either side of its muzzle. The snout is short with elongated nostril slits. The fur color tends to be some hue of brown or gray. Hairs are darker at the base than they are at the tips. The tail can be anywhere from pale cinnamon brown to blackish brown to slate gray. Sides tend to be pale brown. Ears are large, generally more than 1 in (2.5 cm) in length and connected by a low band across the forehead. The ears are usually directed forward while in flight. When these bats sleep, their ears are generally rolled down and back across the head.    Males Females Size Total length of 3.5–4.5 in (90–115 mm); yail length of 1.8 in (46 mm); wingspan of 11.7-12.6 in (297-320 mm). Total length of 3.5–4.5 in (90–115 mm); tail length of 1.8 in (46 mm); wingspan of 11.7-12.6 in (297-320 mm). Weight 0.24-0.42 oz (7-12 g) 0.24-0.42 oz (7-12 g) LIFESPAN The average lifespan is 16 years. HABITAT Caves located in regions characterized by limestone and sinkholes and dominated by oak, hickory, beech, maple, and hemlock forests. Occasionally inhabits old buildings. Range: Isolated populations in eastern Kentucky, eastern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and northwestern North Carolina. It has also been reported in Avery, Watauga, and Yancey counties in the mountains of Virginia. Conservation: Endangered. Its small population is threatened by white-nose syndrome and human disturbances in the form of noise, bright lights, and human development. BEHAVIOR Resides in the caves throughout the year. In winter, when the temperature is between 32° and 53°F (0° and 11.5°C), the bats congregate in large groups, where they hang in clusters called "hibernacula" on the walls and ceilings of caves. Before hibernation, the bats grow fat to compensate for the food they will not eat during the winter. Disturbance during hibernation causes bats to lose their stored fat reserves, and repeated disturbances can cause the bats to die before spring. Mating occurs in fall and winter and females give birth in spring. In summer, females separate to form maternity colonies whereas males are usually solitary. Young pups are weaned by the mother and can fly three weeks after birth. DIET Primarily moths but also flies, lacewings, dung beetles, sawflies, and other small insects. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Annual Birthing period: 50 to 60 days Average litter size: 1 Size at birth: 0.08 oz (2.40 g) (25 percent of the adult female’s weight) TRIVIA Bats belong to the mammalian order Chiroptera, which means "hand-wing." A hibernating bat's heartbeat drops from 400 beats per minute to 25 beats per minute.
	Click to enlarge an image Virginia Big-Eared Bat in Flight Virginia Big-Eared Bat Showing Size Virginia Big-Eared Bat CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Chiroptera Family: Vespertilionidae Genus: Corynorhinus Species: C. townsendii Subspecies: C. t. virginianus
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press

Virginia State Mammal
American Foxhound (common name) Canis familiaris (scientific name) Overview An American foxhound is a relative of the English foxhound, and like its cousin was bred especially to hunt foxes by identifying their scent and following a scent trail.  English hounds came to America in 1650 and were later bred with French and Irish dogs. An American foxhound is bigger than the English variety and has a reputation for being dignified, good-looking, and speedy. It's generally the fastest of all foxhounds and has excellent endurance. In the past, packs of 15 to 20 of these dogs were used to hunt foxes and other small game. Today, foxhounds may participate in contests or simply be pets.  Close-up STATUS Official State Dog ALSO KNOWN AS Scent hounds, Virginia hound, hunt dogs PHYSICAL DETAILS The American foxhound is a medium-sized dog with a strong, lean body, broader at the chest and narrower at the hips. It has long front legs that are very straight. The foxhound's head is long and large with a slightly domed skull. Its wide, pointed ears hang on either side of its head.  Its eyes are brown, large, and wide-set.  It has a medium-length tail that curves upward, which it usually carries upright. This foxhound's coat is short and coarse. Legs, belly, throat, neck, and tail tip are white, and the American foxhound also has white markings on its muzzle. The rest of the dog's coat ranges from tan to brown to black, with the darkest markings usually on the nose and on the back just behind the shoulders.    Males Females Size 22–25 in (53–64 cm) 21–24 in (53–61 cm) Weight 65–75 lb (29–34 kg) 65–70 lb (29–32 kg) LIFESPAN Up to 15 years. Average 11 years. HABITAT Purpose-bred dog with no natural habitat. Best suited to spending most of its time outdoors in large yards, on farms, or other large enclosed areas. Range: Originated in U.S. and mostly found in the eastern U.S. Also occasionally kept as a pet in other areas and countries. Conservation: Least Concern (LC). BEHAVIOR As a purpose-bred dog that always lives with humans, the American foxhound lacks the natural feeding and mating rhythms a wild dog would have. Its behavior is dictated by its owner, and by whether the dog is primarily intended to be a hunter, a show dog, or a pet. The American foxhound is usually intelligent and affectionate and requires more open space and activity than an average dog. It is bred to live outdoors with other dogs and will not thrive if confined. If quarters are too close, an American foxhound can teach itself to open a gate or otherwise escape to get the space and exercise it needs. With enough daily activity, it can be well behaved indoors. Because it's also bred and trained to follow scents, this dog can also sometimes run off trailing a scent instead of obeying commands. DIET An American foxhound eats what its owner feeds it, usually a combination of processed dog food and fresh food. Cooked whole grains or fish, raw meat, produce like berries, melons, bananas, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli stalk, oranges, zucchini squash, and green beans can all be part of the diet. OFFSPRING Breeding interval: Annual Birthing period: N/A Average litter size: 5-7 puppies Size at birth: Average 12 oz (340 g) TRIVIA George Washington kept a pack of foxhounds at Mount Vernon and bred them to improve their hunting abilities. American foxhounds like to howl, and will do so when they see a stranger. Their usual bark is a short bark followed by a howl. In the past, packs of American foxhounds lived mainly on dog bread, a type of cornbread mixed and baked just for the dogs.
	Click to enlarge an image American Foxhound with Tracking Collar American Foxhounds CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Canis Species: C. familiaris
	Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Author: World Trade Press