Bats Have Surprisingly Complex Family Life

Group living has many benefits, but it also comes at a cost. A study of insect-eating bats in England finds that females and males often live at different altitudes, but can have surprisingly diverse mating behaviors.

Researchers observed the Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii) along a 25-mile (40-kilometer) stretch of the River Wharfe in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. At lower altitudes the researchers found mostly mama bats and their babies, while males dominated at loftier altitudes. But at intermediate heights, males and females were found cohabiting. These living arrangements reflect tradeoffs bats make for access to food, warmth and other resources, scientists reported Thursday (Jan. 24) in the journal PLOS ONE.

"Most of the bats are segregated — males generally live apart from females," said ecologist and study leader John Altringham of the University of Leeds. "The unusual thing in our study is we get males and females living together, too."

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