Environmental correlates and energetics of winter flight by bats in southern Alberta, Canada

Research at Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada, reveals significant insights into the winter flight energetics of bats. The study found that big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and Myotis species can fly in temperatures as low as -10.4 °C, with temperature and wind being key predictors of their activity. Myotis also appears to use barometric pressure changes as a cue for activity. Energy expenditure estimates suggest winter flight consumes considerable fat stores, potentially mitigated by flight thermogenesis (20% or more). Interspecific differences in activity are linked to heat loss and thermoregulatory adaptations, highlighting the complex relationship between environmental factors and bat energetics.

Klüg-Baerwald, B. J., Gower, L. E., Lausen, C. L., & Brigham, R. M. (2016). Environmental correlates and energetics of winter flight by bats in southern Alberta, Canada. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 94(12), 829–836. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2016-0055