Vespertilionid Bats: Vespertilionidae

The habitat varies in this large group of animals. Many of them spend the day resting in caves, or in tight little places, like cracks in a house or a barn, underneath bark or in the hollow of a tree. Some even rest during the day, a behavior called roosting, inside curled leaves or in other sheltered spots within vegetation. At night, when they become active, the bats are often seen flying above open spaces, or over or near wetlands, rivers and streams, and lakes and ponds. During winter months, the bats typically hibernate. In colder climates, the bats overwinter in caves or other places with relatively stable temperatures. In warmer climates, they may simply choose a spot beneath a loose piece of bark or in the hollow of a tree.