CHARACTERISTICS OF ROOSTS OF MALE PALLID BATS (ANTROZOUS PALLIDUS) IN SOUTHEASTERN COLORADO

摘要

Male pallid bats (Antrozous pallidus) from the Purgatoire River Valley of northern Las Animas County, Colorado, were fitted with telemeters and followed to 53 day roosts. A majority of roosts were in cliffs (89%), with fewer in free-standing rocks atthe base of cliffs. Temperatures at roosts were moderate (27°C) but warmer than ambient temperatures. Roosts in cliffs were slightly warmer than ambient temperatures, while roosts in rocks usually were 5°C greater than ambient temperatures. Typically,bats roosted in crevices that faced east or southeast with much solar exposure. Roosts in cliffs were in long, narrow cracks that extended into the face of the rock. The high temperatures recorded at roosts of male pallid bat may be advantageous for regulating body temperature, avoiding costly torpor bouts, or preparing for reproduction.