Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE Even though bats do use caves as a dwelling (place of rest), it should still be considered part of their habitat because without caves many species would definitely die (and go extinct!) due to mortality from cold exposure and mortality of pups...endangered gray bats and Indiana bats are good examples.
Gotta be careful with the "way back bones" observations. Sometimes floods carry bones deep into caves (repeated over time and a virtual mausoleum develops), sometimes tigres and other cave-dwelling carnivores bring their quarry into caves (floods push bones deeper), sometimes lost/trapped creatures (and candle-carrying teenagers) wander way back than they normally would, or human disturbance may push bats into cave passages they normally wouldn't roost in (if unsuitable, they may die during hibernation or from flood sumping). Or as others have mentioned small creatures use small passages near way back portions. Very great topic (often overlooked) to discuss and investigate. Alas, more questions than answers... -----Original Message----- From: Nancy Weaver [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 9:02 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [Texascavers] bats cats and mice Lots of nice responses, thanks all. The consensus would appear to be that a great variety of mammals (and others) utilize caves to an equal extent as bats. And that all use the cave as a dwelling rather than a habitat. I'd surmise that the examples found 'way back into the cave' are accidentals and likely unsuccesful experiements based on the bones. Nancy --------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected] Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE --------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
