Population Structure and Dynamics of Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus) Hibernating in Buildings in Indiana

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Abstract
We monitored 63 buildings in Indiana serving as hibernacula for big brown bats for up to six winters. Fidelity of individuals to roosts averaged 21.4% in buildings with maternity colonies and 33.3% in buildings without maternity colonies, although this difference was not significant. There was much turnover, both within and among years, some bats being present one year, absent for a year or two and then returning. The sex ratio of hibernating bats was male biased (65.6% males) in buildings with maternity colonies and female biased in buildings lacking maternity colonies (65.2% female). Most big brown bats in Indiana hibernate in heated buildings rather than in caves or mines.