BATS Flying Mammalian Resources Jim Goodbar Senior Cave and Karst Resources Specialist Bureau of Land Management May 12-16, 2014 Cody, Wyoming This presentation was modified from a 2007 D. Kampwerth’s original

Suborder Megachiroptera Suborder Megachiroptera –Family Pteropodidae 42 genera 42 genera 166 species 166 species Old World fruit and nectar feeding bats. Order Chiroptera

Suborder Microchiroptera Suborder Microchiroptera –16 families o 135 genera o 759 species Diet includes insects, small vertebrates, blood, fruit, nectar, and pollen. Diet includes insects, small vertebrates, blood, fruit, nectar, and pollen. Includes the bats we encounter Includes the bats we encounter

Bat Facts Nearly 1000 species of bats, almost ¼ of all mammal species Nearly 1000 species of bats, almost ¼ of all mammal species Approximately 47 species in N. America Approximately 47 species in N. America Smallest weighs < a penny (Bumblebee bat) Smallest weighs < a penny (Bumblebee bat) Largest weighs 3 pounds (Flying Fox) Largest weighs 3 pounds (Flying Fox) L ittle B rown B ats lives 34 years L ittle B rown B ats lives 34 years Brazilian freetails forage 2 miles high Brazilian freetails forage 2 miles high

Bat Facts Continued One bat eats insects a night One bat eats insects a night Bats tolerate temps from 23F-122F Bats tolerate temps from 23F-122F 20 million freetails eat 200 tons nightly 20 million freetails eat 200 tons nightly Thanks for the tequila; pollinators Thanks for the tequila; pollinators Bats see well Bats see well <1/2 of 1% population has rabies <1/2 of 1% population has rabies

Bats in Decline Of the 47 species, more than ½ are in decline or already endangered. Of the 47 species, more than ½ are in decline or already endangered. Seven are listed as endangered; with others being considered Seven are listed as endangered; with others being considered Status of many unknown Status of many unknown

Causes for Decline Disturbance at Hibernacula and Maternity roosts (MAJOR) Disturbance at Hibernacula and Maternity roosts (MAJOR) Pesticides Pesticides Disruptions of foraging and migration routes (Wind Turbines) Disruptions of foraging and migration routes (Wind Turbines) Cave alterations (Guano mining, entrance mod., poor bat gates) Cave alterations (Guano mining, entrance mod., poor bat gates) Predation; at gates/ during flight Predation; at gates/ during flight Over harvest for food (tropical) Over harvest for food (tropical) White Nose Syndrome White Nose Syndrome

Bat Biology  High frequency sound emits at per second (echolocation)  Used for obstacle avoidance and prey detection  Forage on the fly  One pup per year  Maternity, Bachelor, Hibernacula, and Transient Colonies  Affinity for roost sites

Considerations Know your local bats; through research or local experts Know your local bats; through research or local experts Seasonal or year round residents Seasonal or year round residents Sexual status at summer roosts Sexual status at summer roosts Objective of study; Spec., Pop. est., movement, genetics, other Objective of study; Spec., Pop. est., movement, genetics, other Cave, mine, tree, building dependent Cave, mine, tree, building dependent WNS WNS

Capture methods Follow state and federal guidelines and permitting for capture and handling Follow state and federal guidelines and permitting for capture and handling –Hand pick –Mist nets –Harp traps –Trip lines –Other

Survey Methods Echolocation detectors- combine detectors and netting to improve efficiency Echolocation detectors- combine detectors and netting to improve efficiency Arm bands -- Plastic vs. metal Arm bands -- Plastic vs. metal Telemetry; <5% body mass Telemetry; <5% body mass –Torbot bonding cement Light sticks Light sticks

Monitoring Light Loggers Light Loggers Temp/Humidity Loggers Temp/Humidity Loggers Laser Temp. recorder Laser Temp. recorder Binoculars- tall ceilings Binoculars- tall ceilings Red light vs. not Red light vs. not AnaBat AnaBat Sonabat Sonabat Song Meter Song Meter

Population Estimates Visual estimates (sq. ft.) Visual estimates (sq. ft.) Outflight; night vision goggles Outflight; night vision goggles IR Photography IR Photography Guano pile measurement- shortly after bats leave Guano pile measurement- shortly after bats leave Other Other

Frequency of Survey Not too often unless monitoring for impacts Not too often unless monitoring for impacts Every two years, by recovery plan, local expert advice, or WNS Plan Every two years, by recovery plan, local expert advice, or WNS Plan Annually, if exit counts Annually, if exit counts Never during maternity season! If necessary: after adults have left for the evening Never during maternity season! If necessary: after adults have left for the evening

Protection Methods Cave closure with signage Cave closure with signage Education/Outreach Education/Outreach If all else fails: BAT GATES/FENCES If all else fails: BAT GATES/FENCES –Use standard bat gate design (BCI, ACCA) –5.75 inch spacing, horizontal bars far apart, expanded metal foundation –Use site specific designs

Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus)

Lesser Long-nosed Bat ( Leptonycteris curasoae )

Spotted Bat (Euderma maculatum)

Pallid Bat ( Antrozous pallidus )

Brazilian Free-tailed bat pups

Brazilian Free-tailed Bats (Tadarida braziliensis )