LA SELVA-BRAULIO CARRILLO MAMMALS 



97 



Tadarida brasiliensis 

 Brazilian Free-tailed Bat 



Brazilian free-tailed bats occur from the southern United States to Argentina 

 (Fig. 76). The nominate subspecies, Tadarida brasiliensis brasiliensis, occurs 

 throughout Costa Rica and south into South America. 



This species is migratory, at least in the northern parts of its range. In Costa 

 Rica, most records have come from higher elevations. Roosts are known from caves, 

 tunnels, bridges, and buildings. The diet is composed entirely of insects. In the 

 northern part of the range, this bat is monestrous and females form huge maternity 

 colonies in summer. The reproductive cycle has not been studied in tropical 

 areas. 



Brazilian free-tailed bats were first recorded from Costa Rica by Allen (1892). 

 Starred; and de la Torre (1964) collected 12 from a colony in a building in San 

 Jose de la Montana. The male from San Miguel de la Montana was collected from 

 a colony of perhaps a couple of hundred individuals that roosted in the hollow walls 

 of a home. The volume of urine produced by this colony was so great that the 

 walls were badly stained and the house smelled strongly of urine. 



Specimens examined (13)— San Jose de la Montana, 1,520 m [1 male, 

 11 females, LACM]; San Miguel de la Montana, el. 1,690-1,700 m [1 male, KU]; 

 Vara Blanca [LSUMZ]. 



Fig. 76. Brazilian free-tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis. Photo by M. D. Tuttle. 



