Foraging behaviour of the large-footed myotis, Myotis moluccarum (Chiroptera : Vespertilionidae) in south-eastern Queensland

Because of differences in the time, energy, and nutrient demands on male an d female mammals during reproduction, differences in foraging behaviour can be expected between the sexes and over time. Using radio-telemetry, we stu died the foraging behaviour of male and female large-footed bats (Myotis mo luccarum) in south-eastern Queensland during the lactation and post-lactati on periods. Individuals commuted over 10 km from their diurnal roost to for age over a large reservoir. There were typically one or two foraging trips per individual per night for a total foraging time averaging 7 h. Females f oraged longer than did males, due to longer second foraging bouts. Males fo raged for longer during the lactation period than during the post-lactation period, whereas there was no difference for females, possibly due to the f act that post-lactating females are pregnant with a second litter and thus may not experience a large reduction in energy demand. Males of this harem- forming species did not appear to defend foraging territories and females d id not forage near their harem male.