Living on the edge of the range: time-use metrics of hibernacular of the southern edge of a small hibernator

White-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease devastating many bat species, continues to threaten tricolored bats across North America. However, populations at the southern edge of their range, particularly in eastern Texas, show signs of resilience. Our research investigated how tricolored bats use non-traditional winter roosts, such as highway culverts, and how these environments affect both bat behavior and disease risk. We found that culverts are generally drier than caves and tunnels, limiting fungal growth and reducing WNS susceptibility. Bats in these culverts also hibernated differently, entering shorter and shallower torpor bouts while actively regulating body temperature to avoid extreme cold. Most bats stayed within the same culverts throughout winter, suggesting they rely heavily on these structures for survival. Together, these findings highlight the importance of microclimate, particularly humidity, in shaping bat health and behavior, with direct implications for conservation strategies in a changing climate.

Report as AT:  Approved Webinar

Register here.