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, we used radio tracking to study the roosting and foraging behavior of Epomophorus wahlbergi and Scotophilus viridis, two 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.