Ozark Refuge an Oasis for Bats
Home to Oklahoma’s longest known cave system, the wooded and
cavernous Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Oklahoma provides
great habitat for bats. At least 10 species have been documented in the county,
three of which are considered threatened or endangered.
This bat hotspot has been a regular meeting place for
biologists interested in counting the number of bats using the area and
monitoring the population for the effects of a relatively new bat disease known
as white-nose syndrome.
Watch the video or read more to learn about recent research
efforts
Species Spotlight: Redspot Chub
Only four states have the clear gravel-bottom streams
redspot chubs rely on, and Oklahoma is home to the bulk of the population.
These fish are named for their eye-catching red spot and feed primarily on
insects and crustaceans.
Learn more about redspot chub in the Wildlife Department's Field Guide
The Changing Guard
Almost as soon as the fair weather hawks fade into summer’s
memories, a new set of hawks are landing in our state. Four species of hawks
regularly join Oklahoma’s three year-round residents by mid-fall to make the
most of our state’s relatively mild winters and abundant food sources.
Get tips for identifying winter’s winged hunters
Falling for Butterflies
Though butterfly activity tends to wane with falling
temperatures, plenty of these eye-catching insects are still on the wing. In
fact, early fall is a great time to watch butterflies at Red Slough Wildlife
Management Area in southeastern Oklahoma.
Learn more about Red Slough’s butterfly diversity and get
the secret to prime butterfly watching
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