Which North American Bats Hibernate Or Migrate? BAT NAME Let’s take a closer look at a few common bats that hibernate during winter! So whether you’re a go-getter who enjoys spelunking during winter or is just trying to clean out your attic this winter season, keep an eye out for bats that might be hibernating in these areas. The ideal hibernation temperature for bats is usually between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which is why outdoor places like caves and mines are ideal.īut be sure to keep an eye out, because even high-ceiling buildings can become home to bats during the winter months! When bats are looking to decide where they should make their home for the period of time that they will be in torpor, they look for places that have an ideal temperature and humidity to properly hibernate. This means that they may enter the state of torpor for just a few hours on an especially cold day, or they might stay in torpor for months!

This state of being is called torpor.ĭuring their hibernation, bats will cycle through periods of torpor. Of course, other bodily functions also slow down to help conserve energy. That means that they can go minutes without taking a breath! Learn more about how to help bats in Canada at HelpTheBats.According to the National Park Service, when bats hibernate, their body temperature can drop to near freezing and their heart rate drops to about 10 beats per minute. List of bat experts by province (not comprehensive) >.List of wildlife rehabilitation centres in Ontario >.I retrieved a female Big Brown Bat from a bedroom a couple of weeks ago, much to the relief of the homeowner! If all else fails, you can contact your local bat expert. Transporting live bats can be difficult because they are accomplished escape artists – Big Brown Bats can chew their way out of paper bags and fit through the bars of hamster cages! The best way to transport them safely is to use a sturdy cardboard box, such as a shoe box, with a small towel inside and the lid secured. It was later released outside in the spring. This Big Brown Bat was kept in captivity during the winter and hand-fed mealworms dipped in water. Caring for Bats Until They Can Be Moved to a Safe LocationĪll Canadian bats are insectivores, meaning they only eat insects. Be sure to phone ahead as not all centres will accept bats. If the temperature is below freezing, the bat should be transported to a wildlife rehabilitation centre. If no contact occurred and the temperature outside is above freezing, the bat can be released outside.

If household pets or human residents have come into contact with a bat, a public health professional should be contacted, and the bat should be kept in a safe location to prevent further contact until it is determined whether the bat should be submitted for rabies testing. Like most mammals, some bats can become infected with the rabies virus. If you find a bat in your home during the winter, do not touch it with your bare hands (one alternative is to use thick gloves). You may never know if bats are hibernating in your home because they are mostly inactive and go all winter without feeding! This means they are not producing guano (droppings). This means that hibernating bats can occasionally show up in people’s living spaces. Additionally, significant temperature variations may prompt bats to move to a different area with more suitable temperatures for hibernation. Bats naturally arouse from hibernation several times during winter and may move around during these periods.

Big Brown Batsīig Brown Bats can hibernate in the walls or attics of buildings. However, there is one species of bat that will hibernate in buildings: the Big Brown Bat. This is because most bat species in Canada have either migrated south for the winter or are hibernating underground. It’s pretty unusual to see bats during the winter.

Do bats hibernate in attics in winter