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Teresa wrote:It does make one wonder how warmer winters (if indeed we are going to a warmer climate) will affect not only bats, but bears, frogs, turtles, and other creatures who are accustomed to going torpid, semi-torpid or otherwise 'hibernate' in the winter.
All bats do not go into the same extent of hibernation. The only ones who achieve true hibernation are ones like pippistrelles, often encountered in winter caves only a few degrees warmer than the rock itself, and beaded with water. Even colonial myotis bats rouse occasionally. Some like the big browns, actually have more of a 'big sleep' similar to bears, where they get up and go out for a look see. Since many bat species mate during the early winter, the temperature changes and rousing may affect the later fertilization rates of the females.
Cavemud wrote:Hey all! I saw two bats last night at dusk flying around and diving for bugs! It was about 60 degrees here yesterday and warm again today. I guess they don't hibernate if it's too warm? They appeared to be big browns...at least by their size. This is the first time I recall seeing bats feeding in the winter. Any thoughts from the bat biologists?
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