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Southeastern Big-eared Bat, Corynorhinus rafinesquii macrotis

Corynorhinus rafinesquii (CORA) Anabat files recorded in Clay co, FL, Sept 2008

 

CORA

Echolocation: Produce low intensity echolocation calls that are difficult to pick up on bat detectors, may have to be < 20 ft to be detected by Anabat.

 

Florida Distribution:  Only five maternity colonies have been documented in Florida.  The population status of two colonies remains unknown after loss of the original roost site. Individual BEB’s have been recorded as far south as the Big Cypress Swamp in Collier County, but southernmost maternity site is in Polk County.

 

Roosting Behavior: Colonial.  Often roost solitary (males) or in small groups  (3 – 7).  In FL,  maternity colonies average 30 – 40 bats.  Documented roosts include abandoned structures and low level cavities in gum, cypress, and magnolia (Finn 2001). Sensitive to disturbance, will abandon roost sites. The status of  maternity colony that roosted under  a Union County bridge, replaced with box culverts in December 1999 (Finn, unpub) remains unknown.

                 Uses bat houses? Yes, but only of special design                          Nuisance colonies?            No

Foraging Behavior: Habitat in and adjacent to mature swamps & forested wetlands associated with streams.  Prefer moths & soft-bodied insects gleaned from foliage.  Moth specialist. 

Reproduction: In Florida, single pup born early May.]

Management and Conservation Recommendations:  This species may be in the greatest need of conservation efforts.  Conservation of forested wetlands, mature swamps and adjacent habitat, preservation of cavity trees (especially Nyssa) and protection of abandoned structures will benefit this and other bat species.  Installation of large artificial roosts (i.e. modified concrete culverts) should be considered (see BCI 2002-2003  Annual Report, pg 4; Finn 2002).