During the summer, Indiana bats typically roost under loose tree bark. Primary maternity roost trees are usually within canopy gaps in a forest, along a wooded edge, or in a fence line. These habitats provide the tree with greater solar exposure which in turn helps young develop faster.

BrandenBark™ is an artificial bark bat roost specifically designed for use by bark roosting bats such as the federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis). BrandenBark™ is a result of several years of intense research and monitoring of an Indiana bat maternity colony by Copperhead and Fort Knox Army Installation biologists.

BrandenBarkTM is an artificial roost structure that mimics the natural roosting habitat of Indiana bats. To date, 69 BrandenBarkTM structures have been installed in 7 states (IL, KY, LA, OH, PA, TN and WV).

While many different species of trees (especially old trees) can have bark like this, the most important and commonly utilized roost tree species for Indiana bat is shagbark hickory. Other common roost trees for this bat species include living and dead white pine, elm, and ash.

Mar 25, 2025 · So, what kind of trees do bats like to live in? The answer is multifaceted, depending on the bat species, but generally, bats prefer trees that offer suitable roosting opportunities – think cavities, loose bark, or dense foliage.

Bats favor shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) as a roost tree because they can hide under its loose-plated bark that curls away from the trunk at the ends and gives this species its name. Photo courtesy of Jay Heritage Center, Rye, New York. Bats (Vespertilionidae and Phyllostomidae) are a critically important component of North American ecosystems.

Jan 19, 2024 · The synthetic bark is attached loosely to the tree in such a way as to seal out rainfall, but with a gap of several inches at the bottom so bats can shimmy in under the slab of artificial bark and move around within it.

Mar 6, 2025 · Bats can wedge themselves beneath the loose bark, finding cover and a sense of security. This is especially common in species that favor a more exposed roosting environment but still require some form of protection.

British Columbia is home to at least 16 species of bats and many of these species roost under natural bark and snag roosts. However, only three of these species (Little Brown myotis, Yuma Myotis, Big Brown bat) use traditional bat houses that mimic man-made structures.

Oct 26, 2021 · Over 400 bats were once recorded underneath the bark of one dead pine tree. That single colony of bats would consume millions of insects in a summer. And bats naturally control crop pests.