Colonial Behavior of Eptesicus fuscus

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Abstract
Big brown bats, Eptesicus fuscus, were studied at maternity colonies in buildings in Kentucky. Bats arrived at the colonies in May, and colonies contained few adult males before the young were weaned. Young were born in early June. Mothers left even the youngest babies behind during feeding flights, and mothers retrieved their fallen babies from the floor and recognized their own. Young bats grew rapidly; growth curves are presented. After parturition mother bats fed close by and returned soon to their babies; as the young matured the mothers stayed away longer. When 3 weeks old the young could fly, and by mid-June mothers and young were using a night roost. Adults filled their stomachs in about an hour of feeding. Big brown bats were not tolerant of heat, and left a roosting spot at temperatures above 92°–95°F. This is a rather sedentary species; most movements recorded were of a few miles or less.