Bats Roost in Culverts during Hibernation and the Maternity Season in North Florida

Lisa M. Smith^1*, Terry J. Doonan², and Jeffery A. Gore³

¹Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1105 SW Williston Road, Gainesville, FL 32601. ²Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 3377 E US Highway 90, Lake City, FL 32055. ³Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 3911 Highway 2321, Panama City, FL 32409. ^*Corresponding author.

Journal of North American Bat Research, Volume 2 (2024): 1–18

Abstract
NRoad infrastructure, such as bridges and culverts, can provide important habitat for bats that typically roost in caves, although culverts may facilitate disease transmission into Florida. To determine bat presence and abundance in culverts in north Florida, we surveyed 102 culverts during the primary winter torpor periods in 2018 and 2019, and in summer 2018. To determine temporal variation during winter, we surveyed 34 culverts multiple times between November 2019 and April 2020. Southeastern Myotis (Myotis austroriparius) was the most common species observed in both seasons. During winter 2019–2020, Southeastern Myotis was present in >50% of culverts during every survey. Average winter colonies of Tricolored Bats (Perimyotis subflavus) were small (≤3 bats). Tricolored Bats were first observed roosting in culverts in mid-November and increased in abundance until late January. Bats are susceptible to disturbance, human encroachment, and disease, and consequently, a better understanding of the role of culverts as roosts can improve conservation actions. 

Download Full-text pdf (Open access)