S. Churchill et al., CAVE UTILIZATION BY NAMIBIAN BATS - POPULATION, MICROCLIMATE AND ROOST SELECTION, South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 27(2), 1997, pp. 44-50
Ten caves in central Namibia were searched for cave bats during May an
d June 1996. Up to seven species were found sharing a single cave. Dif
ferent species of bats were found to select roost sites with significa
ntly different microclimates, based on temperature and relative humidi
ty. Bats were using these caves as over-wintering sites and were selec
ting either cool microclimates in which to enter daily torpor or warm
microclimates to enable them to remain active with minimal energy expe
nditure. Hipposideros commersoni was observed to remain inactive at th
e roost for days without entering torpor or leaving the cave to forage
. This large bat appears to over-winter by relying on its considerable
fat store at this southern limit of its distribution. Roost behaviour
, colony size and roost location within the cave was examined for each
of the nine bat species encountered.