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In evolutionary terms, most species of cimicid probably specialised on insectivorous bats or birds, with the possibility of dispersal to other sites via their winged hosts. On returning to a roost, a bat may only be available to cimicids for a short time before it cools down and enters a state of torpor, with reduced blood flow. When the bats ...
Roosting chambers are usually large enough to provide considerable ceiling surface and flying space, and thus adequate space allows the animal to find a place to roost while flying. The coolness of the roost also plays a factor in Macrotus selection of roosts, which is why Macrotus would choose to roost in a cool cave in the hot summers.
Roosting groups may be 3–100 individuals. Bats typically change roost locations daily or every few days [13] and may fly as far as 4 km (2.5 mi) to feeding areas. Roost locations may follow the ripening of fruit trees. [5] Alternatively, frequently changing roost sites may be a strategy to decrease predation. [6]
Tree-roosting species can be solitary or highly colonial, forming aggregations of up to one million individuals. Cave-roosting species form aggregations ranging from ten individuals up to several thousand. Highly colonial species often exhibit roost fidelity, meaning that their trees or caves may be used as roosts for many years.
Mexican free-tailed bats roost primarily in caves. However, they also roost in buildings of any type as long as they have access to openings and dark recesses in ceilings or walls. [8] The bats can make roosting sites of buildings regardless of "age, height, architecture, construction materials, occupancy by humans and compass orientation". [8]
Bats roost in trees, caves, abandoned buildings, old wells, and mines. [18] [20] Vampire bats will roost with about 45 other bat species, [3] and tend to be the most dominant at roosting sites. [20] They occupy the darkest and highest places in the roosts; when they leave, other bat species move in to take over these vacated spots.
The Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, which crosses over Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas, is the world's largest urban bat colony. Seventeen species of bats live in the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, including a large number of Mexican free-tailed bats. [1]
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