Bats of Texas

Appendix 3: Letter from C.E. Doolin to the Frito Bandwagon

rafinesque’s big-eared bat 183 ity and accessibility to predators (Ferrara and Leberg 2005). Abandoned buildings also are frequently used as roosts, particularly by maternity colonies (Clark 1990; England et al. 1990; Horner and Maxey 1998; Jones and Suttkus 1975; Saugey et al. 1993). Such colonies may contain more than 100 individuals; however, 10–50 bats represent a more typical colony size, and bats are often found roosting singly (Cochran 1999; Ferrara and Leberg 2005; Menzel et al. 2001c; Mirowsky et al. 2004; Trousdale and Beckett 2004). They have been found sharing roost sites with southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius), American perimyotis (Perimyotis subflavus), and big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus), but they cluster separately from these other species. In the northern part of its range, C. rafinesquii remains throughout the winter and hibernates in caves and mines (Hurst and Lacki 1999; Jones breast height usually in excess of 100 cm (Cochran 1999). There is some evidence that this species selects roosts that do not receive direct sunlight (Carver and Ashley 2008; Clark et al. 1997b). These bats are frequently found roosting under bridges; they prefer concrete bridges with girder construction. They have never been found under wooden bridges and rarely roost under flat slab concrete bridges (Bennett et al. 2008; Lance et al. 2001). Unlike many species of bats that use bridges as day roosts, C. rafinesquii roost in the open spaces between beams, not in small crevices (Ferrara and Leberg 2005; Keeley and Tuttle 1999). In Louisiana, bridges located in mature deciduous forest are occupied more frequently than are those in other habitat types. The bats change roosts frequently and spend their time equally in bridge and black gum tree roosts (Lance et al. 2001). They also roost in the warmest, darkest part of the bridge, perhaps to minimize their visibilSpecimen record Literature record DSHS record map 21. Distribution of Rafinesque’s big-eared bat, Corynorhinus rafinesquii. ...