Bat Reproduction Strategies

Though bats have numerous fascinating traits, Columbus, Ohio bat reproduction strategies are certainly the most interesting, given the evolutionary advantage of some of these traits. Of the 963 species of bats around the world, only ten species of bats have made Columbus, Ohio area home, with the Little Brown Bat and the Big Brown Bat the most common bats found in residences and commercial buildings. Both the Little Brown and the Big Brown have evolved one of four bat reproduction strategies that we will discuss after we have explained the four strategies.

The 4 Evolutionary Bat Reproduction Strategies 

Delayed Ovulation: The First Of The 4 Bat Reproduction Strategies

Let’s explain delayed ovulation, which is one of the 4 strategies. After coitus in the fall, which happens before hibernation, the female’s uterus and oviduct store the sperm. Ovulation and fertilization are then deferred for weeks or months and do not initiate for about 1-3 days after awakening from hibernation. At that point, the ovum is then fertilized, and the young are born in around sixty days.

Let’s explain delayed ovulation, which is one of the 4 strategies. After coitus in the fall, which happens before hibernation, the female’s uterus and oviduct store the sperm. Ovulation and fertilization are then deferred for weeks or months and do not initiate for about 1-3 days after awakening from hibernation. At that point, the ovum is then fertilized, and the young are born in around sixty days.

Delayed Implantation: The Second Of The 4 Bat Reproduction Strategies 

Another interesting bat evolutionary strategy is delayed implantation, which differs from the above-described process. In this case, fertilization always happens after coitus, generally in the fall. The fertilized ovum goes through several cell divisions and enters an inactive state, preventing implantation. Once the female bat awakens from hibernation, the fertilized egg will implant in the uterus.

Sperm Storage: The Third Of 4 Bat Reproduction Strategies 

The third strategy is Sperm Storage in both the male and female bat. The male bat can store sperm in either the caudal part of the epididymis or the vas deferens, and the female bat can store sperm after intercourse in the uterus and oviduct of the female. The sperm can stay alive and healthy for months in each both the male and female storage strategy.

Environmental Synchronicity: The Last Of The 4 Bat Reproduction Strategies

This concept evolves around the idea that the birth of pups occurs when food is readily accessible. This strategy is advantageous since it affords ample nutrition for the mother by providing milk which demands a great deal of energy on the part of the nursing bat.

Which Of The 4 Bat Reproduction Strategies Do The Little Brown Bat And Big Brown Bat Use?

Not all bats use all 4 of the bat reproduction strategies. Based on the species of bat and the location of the bat will determine the strategy used. Little Brown bats and Big Brown bats, both very common in Columbus, Ohio residential and commercial buildings, display delayed ovulation, also called delayed fertilization, as we explained more formally above.

Mating takes place in the fall, and after copulation, the female stores the male’s sperm in her reproductive tract until she finishes hibernation around middle April in Columbus, Ohio. At this time, ovulation occurs, fertilizing the “egg.” Pregnancy lasts around 60 days, but weather can affect the gestation length. If the Columbus, Ohio weather is too cold, the bat will enter a state of physical inactivity called torpor and the birthing time lengthens.

Bat Removal Columbus Ohio Is A Division Of Buckeye Wildlife Solutions. Please check Out Our YouTube Channel.

Thanks to Sophie Bradley for her research into Bat Reproduction Strategies.