Ecological Observations on Lasiurine Bats in Georgia

Lasiurus seminolus, L. borealis and Dasypterus floridanus were found in clumps of moss in oak trees in southwest Georgia during February, March and April, but not in May and June. Bats selected sites usually on the west or southwest exposures of trees, over ground providing little sunlight reflection. Bats were apparently strictly solitary until the latter half of April. Bats showed an apparent preference for certain clumps of moss. L. seminolus generally does not fly when the immediate environmental temperature drops below 70°F., and this species and L. borealis become torpid at lower temperatures. Captured bats are described, providing data on color, reproductive organs, disease, pathology, and behavior. Certain Seminole bats selected sites where predation might easily have occurred. The occurrence of torpidity during cold weather, presumably enhancing the hazard of predation, correlates with the seasonal incidence of wildlife rabies in the southeastern United States