Brazilian Free-tailed Bat
Distribution, Abundance, and Seasonality
The Brazilian free-tailed bat is found throughout California. Mostly absent from high Sierra Nevada (from Tehama to Tulare cos.) and the north coastal region (from Del Norte and Siskiyou cos. to northern Sonoma Co). This species is common in California and may be locally abundant. The largest California colony (100,000+ animals) is in Lava Beds National Monument. All habitats up through mixed conifer forests are used, but open habitats such as woodlands, shrublands, and grasslands are preferred.
Range Map
Specific Habitat Requirements
Feeding: Utilizes echolocation to hunt for small aerial insects, primarily small moths. Forages high, usually at least 30 m (100 ft) above ground level. This species is a fast flier, averaging 40 km (25 mi) per hr when travelling to and from roosting sites.
Cover: Requires caves, mine tunnels, crevices, or buildings for roosting and hibernation. Apparently uses mostly buildings along the coast. May use a separate night roost, particularly if foraging far from the day roost. Moves within caves to find suitable temperature.
Reproduction: Maternity colonies of females and young are found in caves, crevices, and buildings.
Water: Produces a relatively concentrated urine, but water requirements unknown (Geluso 1978).
Pattern: Uses caves, crevices, and buildings for cover, foraging high over surrounding habitats and water sources.
Species Life History
Activity Patterns: Nocturnal. Emerges shortly after dusk. Returns to day roost before sunrise. Apparently hibernates in coastal and Central Valley populations.
Seasonal Movements / Migration: In California, makes local movements to and from hibernacula or short migrations altitudinally. Bats on east side of the Sierra Nevada migrate north in spring and south in fall.
Home Range: Travels sometimes 65 km (40 mi), or more, from roosting sites to foraging areas. Group sizes range from small groups of males to maternity colonies or hibernating groups of thousands. Colonies numbering in the millions have been observed outside of California.
Territory: This species is highly gregarious.
Reproduction: Copulation occurs in February-March. Gestation is about 100 days. Births are in June and July, peaking in early July. A few cases of twins are reported, but the usual litter size is 1. There is 1 litter per yr. Young nurse in July and August, fly at 5 wk, and reach full size in 2 mo. Females in a maternity colony may nurse any solicitous young. Pre-weaning mortality is very low (less than 2%). Young reach sexual maturity in their second summer. Maximum recorded longevity is 8 yr.
Niche: May be found feeding with other species, from which it differs by rapid, high flight and moth specialization. Roosts with other species. In large colonies, high ammonia concentrations may drive out other species. Some individuals have tested positive for rabies (Wilkins 1989). Human infection by inhalation has been reported from one large colony in Frio-Cave, Texas, where an aerosol of urine and saliva may be found. Owls, hawks, raccoons, skunks, snakes, and opossums are reported predators.
Comments: Drastic declines have been reported for several colonies in the southwestern U.S. Pesticides have been suggested as an important cause of these declines (Mohr 1972, Humphrey 1975, Geluso et al. 1976, Gosnell 1977). Large numbers enhance reproductive success by creating suitable microhabitat for juvenile growth; thus, reduction in numbers may stimulate further declines.
Sources & References
California Department of Fish and Game, 1999.
California's Wildlife, Sacramento, CA.
Written by: J. Harris, reviewed by: P. Brown, edited by: D. Alley, R. Duke
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