Bat House Forum

[batgirl]

I named him Fenester (kinda like the french word for window, fenetre) and he's been coming and going all summer, hanging on between the screen and the half open storm window. I've grown rather fond of him, and apparently he felt safe, even with me opening the window to get closer looks at him. Sometimes he'd leave for days at a time, but he'd always come back. Well, as it is now October, it's starting to get colder, which I think explains his behavior. Instead of leaving every night, he's been staying in my window. I guess he's getting ready to hibernate? I'm a little worried though, since bats usually live in colonies with other bats, they can keep each other warm. This little guy, however, has been a loner. I'm worried about him freezing to death when it gets even colder outside, because where he's chosen to hang out isn't exactly warm and insulated. Any suggestions?

[batgirl]

here is a photo of him up close taken with my cell phone:
by my estimation he's about three inches long from nose to base of tail, and his wingspan is easily 8-10 inches. So cuute.

[Terry Lobdell]

Where are you located? He is probably a bachelor and will leave for hibernation soon.........

[cloudman75]

Don't worry about the little bat freezing. It will leave when it gets too cold. I have posted in the past about one that stayed the winter with me in my attic louver. When It got below freezing a few days it left. It returned when the weather warmed above freezing, but still cold in the metro Atlanta, GA. area. Yours looks like a pipistrelle. My little bat also hung head up a lot and then went into topor in a horizontal position. I also saw it hanging the normal head down position.
If you get a close look at its' wings and it has a lot of pink showing on its' arms, it could be a pipistrelle.
Welcome and thanks for sharing the great photo.

Frank