Biology of Mexican Free-Tail Bat: Appearance, biology, life cycle, habitat, diet, behavior

The Mexican Free-Tail Bat has a scientific name of Tadarida brasiliensis. This is a medium-sized bat that is commonly found in North America. These mammals have a declining population. These bats have fast horizontal speeds and they can reach the ground from the air at 160km/h.

The Appearance of the Mexican Free-Tail Bats

These bats measures about 9 centimeters in length. The adults weigh about 7g to 12 g. Females are slightly heavier because of the milk that they carry especially if they are lactating. They have long tails which is why they are named “free-tailed” bats. Their ears are rounded and large. As with other bat species, they use echolocation in order to track their prey in the dark. These bats have wrinkled lips and extended wings. The fur color ranges from dark brown to grey.

Life Cycle and Biology

Females can take up to 9 months to mature while males take about two years. Both sexes are promiscuous when it comes to mating. They can mate multiple partners in the space of 5 weeks during springtime. There are several female bats that gather into maternity roosts. The gestation period of the female bat lasts 11 to 12 weeks. Only one pup is born. Females utilize scent and vocalizations to recognize their young from the maternity roost. Some of the young pups try to steal a suckle from any mothers that pass their way. After a month and a half, the young pups are weaned. They are capable of being independent at these times, and they are able to leave their mother.

The bats produce large amounts of ammonia and guano when they roost in groups. This is the reason why the caves where they are roosting, can generate a high level of toxins in the cave’s air. The bats are immune to the toxins because they have high concentrated levels of proteins. The protein is located in their respiratory mucous and they are able to dissolve high levels of ammonia in their body. These provide a buffer to the change of air acidity inside the cave. This way, bats are able to live comfortably and hibernate in caves for a long period of time.

Diet

The Mexican Free Tail Bats are insectivores. They feed on various bugs and insects. Echolocation is commonly used to hunt for prey at night. They are able to feed on wasps, beetles, moths, dragonflies, flies, true bugs and ants.

Female Bats tend to go hunting earlier at night and return late at dawn when they are lactating. The loose skin on the bats’ mouths is due to the expanding of their mouths when they feed on large swarms of insects.

Behavior

These bats can travel a speedy 50km per hour when they are hunting for prey. They forage for food at night and they go out after dusk. They are active in the months of June and September. They can also be found during warm weathers.


Visit our Wildlife Trapper Zachary home page to learn more about us.