William Caire, R. Mark Hardisty, and Kenneth E. Lacy Biology
Department, Central State University, Edmond, OK 73060 The
capture heights and times of 251 red bats mist netted in
southeastern Oklahoma were examined. Average capture heights
varied from 3.4 m in May to 2.2 m in August. Most red bats were
captured within the first four hours after sunset.
Reproductively active male bats were most active from 2 to 4 h
after sunset which increased their chances of finding a mate.
Southeastern Oklahoma may be a nursery region with males
migrating into the area in late summer. The red bat, Lasiurus
borealis, is a solitary, nomadic, migratory, tree dweller (1),
which makes it difficult to study. Since the literature reveals
that much of what is known about this bat is anecdotal (2), any
contribution to our knowledge of its ecology will be of great
value. The purpose of this research was to examine the capture
heights and times of red bats in southeastern Oklahoma. The
study was conducted in Choctaw, LeFlore, McCurtain,