Introduction
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There are six distinct species of bat present -- all are found throughout the territories. Most bats either migrate or hibernate, making them seem to vanish altogether during the winter months. These little, flying mammals are easy to overlook despite the benefits that they often provide to the other species within their ecosystems.
Year-Round Residents: Little Brown Bat, Northern Long-eared Bat, Tricolored Bat
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1. Speech
According to our Speech Guide, this creature speaks Low Speech naturally. It is therefore not able to communicate with Luperci. This creature is listed as having the ability to learn some limited comprehension of high speech, but generally will never be able to speak it.
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2. Uses
- Insect Control: Bats are prolific insect eaters -- adult Brown Bats can eat hundreds of mosquitoes per hour. Encouraging bat-roosting near gardens is an old method of insect control.
- Companionship: Although rare, some bats may tolerate companionship with Luperci if conditions are right.
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3. Types
3.1 Hibernating Bats
Rather than use up precious resources to migrate south when winter nears, these bats seek out a safe, quiet space to roost before going into a state of torpor. By reducing the rate at which their body functions, hibernation allows species to survive long, cold winters devoid of necessary sustenance. These species are present year-round.
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- Behavior: The little brown bat is nocturnal, resting during the day and foraging at night. Individuals typically emerge from their roosts at dusk to forage, usually for 1 1/2–3 hours before stopping to roost. A second foraging excursion usually occurs later in the night, ending at dawn. Before the end of humanity, little brown bats commonly occupied human structures and may find a similar affinity for the abodes of highly-humanized Luperci.
- Habitat: During the day, the little brown bat might be found roosting in the hollows of such tree species as quaking aspen, balsam popular, maple, and oak, or in otherwise warm, dark spaces such as Luperci-made structures, wood piles, rocky outcrops, or, occasionally, caves. At night, while foraging, they are most frequently found along the edges of vegetated areas and bodies of water or streams. During hibernation, they can be seen in caves as communities consisting of up to 183,500 individuals.
- 'Souls Range: Little brown bats are widespread throughout the territories of 'Souls, and are more likely than other non-migratory bat species to be found roosting in Luperci-made structures.
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| Quick Facts
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- Size: 5.5–12.5 g (0.19–0.44 oz)
- Activity Pattern: Nocturnal
- Active Months: June-August
- Hibernation Period: September-May
- Social Structure: Largely colonial
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- Behavior: In contrast to many other species of bat, which capture insects from the air, the long-eared bat catches their prey by plucking, or "gleaning", insects from surfaces. While males and females without young tend to roost alone or in small groups, mother bats and their pups will roost together in sizable maternal colonies that can total upwards of 60 individuals. Unlike their little brown bat cousins, Northern long-eared bats are more likely to find trees a more suitable roosting place than Luperci-made structures.
- Habitat: Northern long-eared bats are found in boreal forests, where they rely primarily on trees (under loose bark, in crevices, within cavities, etc.) for their daytime roosts. While foraging at night, they feed on insects that can be caught throughout the understory of forests and above surfaces of water. They seek out caves and underground mines for their hibernacula as winter approaches, where they generally hibernate singly (although they may form small groups).
- 'Souls Range: When not hibernating, Northern long-eared bats can be found throughout 'Souls territories, but will more often be spotted in heavily forested regions, particularly in areas with a high prevalence of hardwood trees.
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| Quick Facts
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- Size: 5–8 g (0.18–0.28 oz)
- Activity Pattern: Nocturnal
- Active Months: June-August
- Hibernation Period: September-May
- Social Structure: Mostly solitary
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- Behavior: The tricolored bat is largely solitary, with males and non-reproductive females roosting alone while females with young forming small (thirty or fewer) nursery colonies until the pups are weaned. A vast majority of these bats will hibernate singly, typically in caves, mines, or a suitable unnatural structure. A slow, erratic hunter, it feasts on a variety of different insects including moths, mosquitos, cicadas, and beetles.
- Habitat: Although no strangers to Luperci-made structures or old human buildings, the tricolored bat will also roost in the foliage of such tree species as maples and oaks or, quite uniquely, within a species of beard lichen called Usnea trichodea which is thought to help ward off ecoparasites courtesy of its naturally-occurring usnic acid.
- 'Souls Range: While the tricolored bat can be found throughout 'Souls territories, it is more often sighted foraging near sources of water or at the edges of forests in the early dusk hours. With their abundant tributaries, the middle to southern regions of Western Forefront and Northern Tides as well as the northeastern region of Sticks and Stones are most likely to be common haunts of this bat species.
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| Quick Facts
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- Size: 4.6–7.9 g (0.16–0.28 oz)
- Activity Pattern: Nocturnal
- Active Months: May-October
- Hibernation Period: November-April
- Social Structure: Solitary
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3.2 Migratory Bats
Unlike the bat species who rely on hibernating within 'Souls territories to make it through the winter months, migratory bats will fly south to warmer climates as temperatures drop and return north again when spring is in full bloom. These bat species rely more heavily on trees and their foliage to seek shelter.
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- Behavior: They often roost in tree cavities or in bark crevices on tree trunks, especially during migration. Their unique coloration makes them difficult to find, as they blend into their preferred environment.
- Habitat:
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| Quick Facts
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- Size: 8–12 g (0.25-0.45 oz)
- Activity Pattern: Nocturnal
- Active Months: May-August
- Migratory Period: September-April
- Social Structure: Solitary
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- Behavior: Eastern red bats are best suited for foraging in open spaces due to their body size, wing shape, and echolocation call structure. Adults are usually dimorphic: males have red hair while females are chestnut-colored with whitish frosting on the tips of the fur.
- Habitat:
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- Size: 9.5-14 g (0.34–0.49 oz)
- Activity Pattern: Nocturnal
- Active Months: May-September
- Migratory Period: October-April
- Social Structure: Mostly solitary
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- Behavior: The bat normally roosts alone on trees, hidden among foliage, but on occasion has been seen in caves with other bats. It prefers woodland, mainly coniferous forests, but hunts over open areas or lakes. It hunts alone and its main food source is moths. It is the largest bat normally found in Canada.
- Habitat:
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| Quick Facts
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- Size: 20 to 35 g (0.70 to 1.23 oz)
- Activity Pattern: Nocturnal
- Active Months: May-August
- Migratory Period: September-April
- Social Structure: Mostly solitary
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4. 'Souls Compendium
4.1 Notable Individuals
4.2 Notable Encounters
5. Additional Resources
5.1 Icons
6. References
