Bats of Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado: Composition, Reproduction, and Roosting Habits

A comprehensive study of the bat fauna at Mesa Verde National Park revealed that 14 species, representing nearly all known bat species west of the Great Plains in Colorado, inhabit the park. The research found significant variations in reproductive rates linked to spring precipitation, with drought conditions potentially impacting bat populations more severely due to forecasted climate changes. Notably, radiotracking identified rock crevices as the primary roosting habitat for five species, contrasting with their known use of trees in other regions. No drastic shifts in bat community composition were observed following recent stand-replacing fires, suggesting resilience or adaptability.

O’Shea, T. J., Cryan, P. M., Snider, E. A., Valdez, E. W., Ellison, L. E., & Neubaum, D. J. (2011). Bats of Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado: Composition, Reproduction, and Roosting Habits. Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist, 5(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3398/042.005.0101