THE ROOSTING AND FORAGING AREAS OF EPOMOPHORUS-WAHLBERGI (PTEROPODIDAE) AND SCOTOPHILUS-VIRIDIS (VESPERTILIONIDAE) IN KRUGER NATIONAL-PARK, SOUTH-AFRICA

In April 1984 in Kruger National Park, radio tracking was used to study the roosting and foraging behavior of E. wahlbergi and S. viridis, 2 bats known to roost in trees. Most E. wahlbergi roosted in foliage in riverine forest, although some roosted in a shelter cave; the S. viridis invariably roosted in hollow mopane trees along the steep sides or tops of ridges. Neither species showed any strong evidence of changing the day roosts they used to minimize commuting distance to foraging areas, although both species regularly switched locations of day roosts within localized areas. Switching day roosts may reduce predation.