Spotlighting Possums, Owls, Bats and Frogs ·
The following advice is supplementary to the NIGHT STALK page in our free activity booklet for kids: Dudley Dolphin’s Outdoor Adventure Journal.
Lights that are too bright can affect the vision of nocturnal animals, such as possums, owls, bats and frogs; causing temporary blindness, eye injuries and sometimes permanent blindness.
A dull red light is much safer for observing nocturnal animals than bright white light.
The best torches and head torches are those that project red light. If you don’t have a torch that shines with a red light, you can cover any torch or head-torch with red cellophane and hold it in place with a rubber band or some tape.
When you are spotlighting and discover the eyes of an animal shining back at you in your red light, make sure you don’t shine your light directly at its head. Instead, direct the light beam away from the animal so it is only illuminated by peripheral light.
Importantly, when you spot a nocturnal animal or bird, don’t get too close, and be sure to stay still and remain quiet, so you can observe them behaving naturally.
You can report the nocturnal animals you find, and where they live, to info@mehg.org.au
Good luck with your nocturnal adventures!
How to obtain your free copy of the Dudley Dolphin Outdoor Adventure Journal
Or pick up your free copy from the Mandurah Libraries, the Visitor Centre or from the Mandurah Community Museum.