Under the stars is a constellation of nocturnal life.
But we know so little about the ecology of the night.
When the sun goes down, a night-shift of fascinating wildlife appears.
One of the most interesting of these nocturnal animals is the Florida Bonneted Bat who lives its mysterious life in the dark ecological web of Florida’s forests.
Since 1936, biologists have known of this large Florida bat, related to the more common Brazilian free-tailed bat.
The Florida Bonneted Bat has the smallest distribution of any bat in the New World. Their range is confined to south Florida, a landscape of rapid change.
Dr. Elizabeth Braun de Torrez is working to enlighten us on the ecology of the Florida Bonneted Bat, one of the rarest animals in Florida.
Recently, she joined forces with US Fish & Wildlife Service biologists at Avon Park Air Force Range to mistnet and radiotag a male documented here in our sweet, short video.
Through her work with the University of Florida and now, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Torrez lures bats to a mistnet 24 feet up in the night sky with an acoustic recording of other bonneted bats.
While there is still much to learn about this docile, bonneted beauty of the night, insights from this important multiagency collaborative work have revealed important information. Florida Bonneted Bats roost singly or in colonies including breeding harems. Bonneted bats fly high and far each night to forage in recently burned areas. Bat day roosts can be in live or dead pines and palms, even bat houses.
This male bonneted bat may have his own harem one day, contributing to a healthy Florida forest.
How can we protect something we don’t understand? How can we love something we can not see?
These are the questions facing biologists responsible for the survival of Florida’s wildlife.
The work of dedicated biologists can help us understand the value of these precious mammals.
Once we appreciate the exquisite life of these endearing bats, we can protect their habitat through management which benefits the ecosystem and the economy of Florida.