Hibernation: Red Bats do it in the Dirt
Brad Mormann et al
Take a winter walk through the deciduous forests of the eastern United States. Notice the countless, colorful leaves scattered like a carpet beneath your feet. Reach for one as you imagine its long fall from the canopy to the windswept forest floor. At that point, you just might notice your leaf has a rather shaggy outline and what looks very much like an ear. You would probably take a surprised step backward if your oak leaf suddenly spread its wings and flew off into the dwindling evening light.
We have found that at least some eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis), though they often migrate long distances to avoid severe northern winters, may nonetheless hibernate in cool climates and survive by snuggling into the leaf litter of the forest floor.
The eastern red bat is a relatively abundant species that, during the summer, roosts in foliage throughout the eastern United States and much of Canada. Because it does not hibernate in caves, it has been assumed that most red bats migrated to areas that are warm enough for them to remain active and find food.
Yet wildlife and forest managers from many parts of North America have noted over the years that these bats are sometimes seen flying out of leaf litter ahead of winter burns used in forest management. These observations, along with our recent research, confirm that red bats do enter and leave leaf litter on the floors of forests during winter.
The specific environmental conditions that cause red bats to move from tree roosts to the ground, however, and what’s needed for leaf-litter roosts to provide adequate winter protection have remained mostly unknown. Also unclear are the physical abilities that allow this species to withstand extended periods of subfreezing weather conditions with limited and unpredictable opportunities to forage for insects.
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Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.
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