Night roosting and the nocturnal time budget of the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus: Effects of reproductive status, prey density, and environmental conditions
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Abstract
<p class="first" id="d3120148e69">The insectivorous bat Myotis lucifugus typically
apportions the night into two foraging
periods separated by an interval of night roosting. During this interval, many bats
occupy roosts that are used exclusively at night and are spatially separate from maternity
roosts. The proportion of the night which bats spend roosting, and thus the proportion
spent foraging, vary both daily and seasonally in relation to the reproductive condition
of the bats, prey density, and ambient temperature. A single, continuous night roosting
period is observed during pregnancy. During lactation, females return to maternity
roosts between foraging bouts, and night roosts are used only briefly and sporadically.
Maximum use of night roosts occurs in late summer after young become volant. Superimposed
upon these seasonal trends is day-to-day variation in the bats' nightly time budget.
Long night roosting periods and short foraging periods are associated with cool nights
and low prey density. This behavioral response may minimize energetic losses during
periods of food scarcity.
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