Bats Return to Roost in “Leap-Frogging” Pattern, Suggests Study

Bats are a crucial part of many ecosystems. These airborne mammals are crucial for pest management, pollination, and seed dispersal. However, habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and new diseases threaten bat populations around the world. Indeed, in North America, researchers have estimated that Climate change alone will cause severe population loss in more than half of all bat species. White-Nose Syndrome has already caused three species, northern long-eared, little brown, and tri-colored, to lose over 90 percent of their populations. 

Study Sheds Light on Bats’ Movements

To help save bats, it is essential to understand them. A new study has helped scientists gain an increased understanding of what drives these creatures’ movements. This study explores what causes bats in the United Kingdom to return to their roost after hunting. Researchers found that they seem to move towards the nest in what they describe as a “leap-frogging” motion.

Researchers attached radio trackers to 12 greater horseshoe bats and monitored their movements over 24 nights. Data from these individuals was used by the team of scientists to measure the average distance of the bats from their roost. Using this data, the scientists found that the animals would spread from the roost in the few hours following sunset and then gradually return to the roost.

Of particular interest to the researchers was the pattern that the bats followed as they returned to the roost. The team modeled two potential methods that influenced the bats’ return. The first was a pulling mechanism. In this model, the bats know the roost’s location and are pulled back to it. 

The second model showed the “leap-frogging” effect. In this model, the individuals that were furthest from the roost would return first. As they moved closer to the roost, they passed the bats that were closer to the roost. This then placed those bats furthest from the roost. Since bats may rely on each other to navigate, the farthest members may be pushed to return to be closer to the others in their group. When this happens, the inner bats then are left on the outer periphery and the process repeats until the group has returned to the roost. 

Why Is This Study Important?

Understanding how bats move can help efforts to protect these vulnerable animals. By understanding how human-caused factors affect these creatures, conservationists can better alleviate these issues. Additionally, understanding bats’ movements may make it easier for researchers to find, monitor, and preserve bat roosts. 

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