WINTER ACTIVITY OF BATS IN CACHE, JUAB AND UTAH COUNTIES, UTAH

Authors

Benjamin T. Jones, Brigham Young University
Dr. Duke S. Rogers, Brigham Young University

Keywords

winter activity, bats, Juab, Cache, Utah counties

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

Historically, studies of bat activity have been conducted during spring, summer and fall when migratory bats are most abundant and non-migratory bats are most active. Due to the high energy expenditure required to maintain body temperatures sufficient for flight (Fenton, 1992) and the low availability of aerial insects, (Whitaker and Rissler, 1992) activity levels decline markedly with the onset of winter and the corresponding fall in temperatures. Non-migratory bats conserve energy by hibernating through the winter. However, in previous winter surveys conducted in Southern Utah, five of sixteen species know to occur in that area were netted. (Hasenyager, 1980) Bats have also been captured in temperatures as low as -5 degrees Celsius. (O’Farrell, 1970) O’Farrell postulated winter activity could be partially explained by the lack of suitable hibernating sites in desert regions. This may be the reason for bat activity.

Recommended Citation

Jones, Benjamin T. and Rogers, Dr. Duke S. (2013) "WINTER ACTIVITY OF BATS IN CACHE, JUAB AND UTAH COUNTIES, UTAH," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1425.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1425