Influence of Thermal Environment on Food Habits of Female Cave Myotis (Myotis velifer)

For insectivorous bats in temperate regions, energetic stresses imposed by the thermal environment of a roost might cause bats to be more selective of prey consumed to compensate for increased energetic demands. We collected samples of guano from beneath maternity roosts of Myotis velifer in caves and barns in the Red Hills region of southern Kansas. Caves were cooler than barns and, thus, imposed greater energetic stress on roosting bats. We analyzed food habits to determine if diet was associated with the thermal environment of roosts in caves and barns. Food habits of adult female bats roosting in caves and barns did not differ, suggesting that females are using other methods, most likely a combination of methods, to cope with cooler temperatures in caves.