![]() According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, bats can be found in every habitat of the State, from the eastern plains to high mountain forests and western deserts, from rural towns to downtown Denver. With no bugs, there cannot be bat activity. The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) is one of the most widespread bats in North America, ranging from Alaska and northern Canada south to Mexico (Fenton and. ![]() There are 18 different species of bats in Colorado and all either hibernate in winter or migrate elsewhere once the weather turns cold. It’s easy to spot the winged rodents (yes, they are in the same classification as mice and rats) come dusk when they leave their caves and roosts in search of food. And, if a healthy bat can live up to 20 years, can you imagine how many bugs a bat consumes in a lifetime? Several species of bats hibernate and roost in the area and help to keep insect populations in check. And in temperate climates, like Florida, bats may be able to stay year round. When cold weather drives insects away, bats must choose to hunker down and hibernate or migrate to warmer areas with more abundant food supply. Some bat species hibernate, some migrate, and some do both. While in the state of torpor, a bat's body temperature falls and its rate of metabolism slows. ![]() Bats begin to hibernate in November and remain inactive until approximately mid-May. This period allows the animals to survive the cold harsh winter season. A single brown bat can eat as many as 1,200 mosquitoes an hour according to experts. When cold weather drives insects away, bats must choose to hunker down and hibernate or migrate to warmer areas with more abundant food supply. Hibernation is simply a period of extended deep sleep for bats, also referred to as torpor. Bats are sensitive during this time and may abandon their young if disturbed. In early summer, female bats congregate in maternity colonies for the duration of their pregnancy (6-9 weeks) and into the first several weeks of their pups' lives. Depending on their species, bats either hibernate or migrate during the fall. Bats roost in caves, mines, trees, attics, under roofs and siding, and under rocks. The smallest bat can eat over 600 insects per hour. Bats in Colorado munch exclusively on insects. James Wainscoat/UnsplashĪs the monsoon season arrives in Vail Valley, and the insects take advantage of the moisture, be bat aware, and appreciative. A surprising number of species (five) have been detected at high elevation sites above 11,000 feet. By law, bats are a protected species in the United States.
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