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Habitat
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Coastal regions of Hawaii, which are tropical and temperate, provide an abundant food source and ample vegetation. Most of these bats nest in native trees such as the koa, wili wili and coconut palm and prefer to remain solitary. Decreased sightings from January to April each year may indicate the bats move to higher elevations and the cooler temperatures found inside inactive volcanoes and lava tubes.
Food Source
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Hoary bats feed primarily on moths and flying insects such as the damselfly and pomace fly. They are nocturnal hunters and will consume nearly half their body weight in one evening meal. As with other insect-eating bats, the Hawaiian hoary emits a high-frequency sound called "echolocation" to track its prey. From the trees in which it roosts, the bat will cover a great deal of ground hunting in the early evening hours.
Reproduction
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A female Hawaiian hoary bat only has one offspring per year. Although scientists have documented little about the bats' breeding habits, it is believed the females breed during late autumn and store the sperm until the weather warms. They then return to their coastal habitat, where they give birth during the summer months.
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The Habitat of the Hawaiian Hoary Bat
The Hawaiian hoary bat is a secretive creature. Much of the knowledge of its behavior is surmised from the species it is derived from, the hoary bat. It is named for the frosted or "hoary" appearance of its white-tipped body hair. First named a sub-species in 1957, the Hawaiian hoary was placed on the endangered species list in 1973. The bats live on all the islands, with the exceptions of Kahoolawe and Ni'ihau.