Red Bat
Last Update/Review: June 17, 2002
The
red bat (Lasiurus borealis) is an infrequent visitor to Alberta
and is found more commonly in the southern and eastern United States
and in eastern Canada. They are solitary bats which roost in thick
forest cover. During the day the bats hang by one foot from the base
of a leaf, giving the appearance of a dead leaf. This behavior may
provide some protection from predation by blue jays, hawks and owls.
Red bats are one of the brightest-colored bats, ranging from bright orange to light rusty brown (Figure 8). Adult males are usually redder, while females are "frosted" with white. They are a moderate size, weighing 7 to 12 gm (0.3-0.4 oz ) and have a wingspan of up to 30 cm (12 in.).
Red bats are migratory and the few collected in Alberta have been females. One to four young per female are born under a leaf in late May or early June but many are killed by blue jays.
Red bats are well-adapted to living in an environment of fluctuating temperatures. The tail membranes are thickly furred and can be used as a blanket to cover the bat during hibernation. So much heat energy is conserved through various behavioral and physiological adaptations that red bats may be unable to survive in the stable environment present in caves. This may be the reason they hibernate in trees.
