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Brazilian Free-tailed Bat 
- Scientific name: Tadarida
brasiliensis.
- Weight: 11-15 grams.
- Wingspan: 29-35
centimeters.
- Distribution: The southern United States and southward
through Mexico and Central America into northern South America.
- Ecology
and Behavior: Habitat of Brazilian free-tailed bats differs in various
parts of the United States. In the southwestern United States, they
primarily are cave bats migrating to Mexico to winter. About 20,000,000
bats of this species occur in one cave near San Antonio, Texas; this is
the largest concentration of mammals in the world. In the eastern United
States, this species does not occur in caves, it is present in only
man-made structures, it does not migrate long distances, and few colonies
larger than a few hundred individuals are known. These bats often select
hot attics as roosts, and young seem to be able to tolerate higher
temperatures than adults. High temperatures in roosts are essential for
the rapid growth of young bats; apparently, the larger the colony, the
less energy expenditure per bat to maintain a given temperature.
- Food
habits: This species feeds almost exclusively on small moths.
-
Reproduction: One young is born in late spring or early summer. Birth
occurs with the mother hanging head downwards. Passage of the young
through the birth canal requires about 90 seconds. Newborns are hairless,
but have all their milk teeth. Mothers usually are able to locate their
own young among the thousands of other babies in a cave.
- Status of
Populations: Common throughout most of its range, but only locally
common in much of the southeastern United States.
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