Roost-site Selection by Eastern Red Bats (Lasiurus borealis) in New Jersey Forests

Isabelle Zoccolo^1,*, Robert Kwait¹, Morgan Mark¹, Kathleen Kerwin¹, and Brooke Maslo¹

¹Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. *Corresponding author.

Northeastern Naturalist, Volume 33, Issue 4 (2026): 501–519

First published early online: 7 November 2026

Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that the common North American bat species, Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat), may be particularly vulnerable to habitat loss and the continued expansion of wind-energy development. Identifying and protecting high-quality roosting habitat is therefore essential for conserving viable populations. However, information on roost-site selection remains limited, particularly in the northeastern US. To address this knowledge gap, we radio-tracked 13 Eastern Red Bats in 2 forested landscapes in New Jersey and compared roost trees with randomly selected trees using tree- and landscape-level habitat characteristics. Bats selected primarily deciduous species of trees that were tall and located on south-facing slopes, consistent with previous studies. In contrast to other findings, bats in our study did not exhibit preferences for roost trees near forest edges or water sources, suggesting that these habitat associations may vary geographically. We also found evidence of sex-specific roost selection, with females selecting larger trees at lower elevations on more western-facing slopes and farther from roads than males. Our findings underscore the importance of large deciduous trees and favorable thermal conditions for roosting Eastern Red Bats while highlighting regional variation in roost-site selection that should be considered when developing forest-management and conservation strategies.

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