In 2001, we initiated a study on temperature differentiated
roost-site selection in the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus.
These bats utilize roost-sites in a stadium at the University of
Nebraska where they can be easily observed and the temperature of
the roost-sites can be monitored. We hypothesized that maternal
females should select warmer roost-sites than males and
non-maternal females and that bats would switch roost-sites as the
summer season progressed to optimize a preferred roost-site
temperature. Initial findings suggest that, at least at this
location, the roost-site locations of all bats, and the duration
that a roost-site is occupied, are influenced by factors other
than temperature. The results of our research will contribute to
our knowledge of bat roosting ecology, including the seasonal use
of a roost-site from arrival to hibernation, and will provide
base-line knowledge of the roosting activities at our study
location necessary for future work there.
Jeffrey J. Huebschman and Zachary P. Roehrs
