The majority of bats captured during this study were adult 

 males. Adult males of many insectivorous species of bats 

 roost singly in cool locations where they can reduce their 

 body temperature to reduce metabolism (Barbour and Davis 

 1969, Hill and Smith 1984). Deep caves in limestone 

 outcrops could provide this habitat in the Townsend 

 District. Numerous caves can be seen in the cliffs at the 

 mouths of the canyons that were surveyed, but none of these 

 have been entered to survey for bat use because of the 

 difficulty of access. 



The presence of females of several species, such as the 

 Townsend' s big-eared bat, the Long-legged myotis, and the 

 Small- footed myotis, documented on the Townsend Ranger 

 District during this study suggest the likelihood of 

 maternity roosts in the vicinity, especially where the bat 

 is lactating. Maternity roosts are often in warmer parts of 

 caves or shelters where the females do not become torpid, in 

 order to maintain a high metabolism and promote rapid growth 

 in the young bats (Barbour and Davis 1969). Maternity 

 colonies of Townsend ' s big-eared bats are found fairly near 

 the entrances of caves and adits, often within the sight of 

 light (Barbour and Davis 1969). The maternity roosts of the 

 Long-legged myotis, on the other hand, are usually found in 

 cracks and crevices in fractured rock or under the bark of 

 trees (Barbour and Davis 1969). Little is known of the 



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