Endangered Florida Bats Use New Homes After 29 Months of Waiting

It took 29 months for endangered Florida bats to move into new homes. This is a new way to help save them.
By Newsroom | Wildlife, Florida |

After a prolonged period of observation, a novel approach utilizing specially designed artificial roosts has seen initial success in attracting Florida's endangered bonneted bat population. A single male was first observed utilizing one of the structures, followed by the establishment of a colony, indicating a potential avenue for conservation efforts. Researchers from the 'University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign', in collaboration with the 'U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' and the 'Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission', are behind this initiative.

The artificial roosts, described as 'water-jacket rocket boxes', required 16 months before the first lone male bonneted bat decided to occupy one. Further observation, 13 months after that, revealed a 'harem colony' had taken hold. This development is considered significant given the 'estimated low hundreds to low thousands' of these bats believed to remain in Florida.

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The project aims to lure these bats to safer artificial habitats, addressing the species' endangered status. The long-term follow-up was conducted by a partner organization, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission being among those involved in the monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Florida's endangered bats start using new artificial homes?
Scientists built special new homes, called 'water-jacket rocket boxes', to help the endangered bonneted bats. It took a long time, but bats are now using them.
Q: How long did it take for the endangered Florida bats to use the new homes?
It took 16 months for one male bat to move in. Then, 13 months later, a whole group of bats moved in. That is a total of 29 months.
Q: Who is helping the endangered Florida bats with these new homes?
Researchers from the University of Illinois, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are working together on this project.
Q: Why are these bats endangered and why is this project important?
There are only a few hundred to a few thousand bonneted bats left in Florida. These new homes are a way to give them safer places to live and help save the species.