At Wildlife Busters we spend a great deal of time talking about bats when they are encroaching on our commercial and residential properties, but I began to wonder what happens to the bats during hibernation?
Bats typically require temperatures between 32 F and 49F to hibernate, making a cave the ideal location. During hibernation their metabolic and physiological functions shutdown. Their body temperature drops to a few tenths of one degree of the surrounding cave and their heart rate drops from 400 beats per minute during their wake state to 25 beats per minute.
During hibernation, bats do wake periodically to drink from the condensation on the cave wall or their fur, to urinate, and/or to find a warmer or cooler spot within the cave.
Little Brown Bats, the species most often found here in our service area, the Greater Hudson Valley, typically wake fifteen to sixteen times throughout their hibernation period, depleting 84% of their reserved energy.
Bats spend the fall feeding and building fat reserves. Their fats reserve must last the entire hibernation period and when bats are aroused by the effects of White Nose Syndrome, by human disturbances, or a sudden rise in temperatures, their fat reserves are often compromised, creating an increased risk of mortality.
Given the devastating effects of White Nose Syndrome it is more important than ever to be mindful of not disturbing bats during their hibernation period and ensure that we protect our bats for generations to come. If you find yourself experiencing a bat nuisance, please give call Wildlife Busters. We practice humane bat removal techniques to ensure the safety of the bats and of our clients.
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