For example, in just three national forests in Arkansas, bats constitute nearly a quarter of the state s 70 species of mammals. But, because of their small size and nocturnal nature, the presence and contributions of bats to these environments often go unnoticed. Moreover, when we think of bats, we tend to think only of cave environments, but in reality, many species of bats rarely, if ever, enter caves at all. These species are referred to as tree bats due to their penchant for choosing forest roosts and habitats. Forests provide a plethora of potential roosts for tree bats.
Some species form colonies in huge old hollow trees such as sycamore and cypress.
Others choose smaller crevices in dead or dying wood, sometimes in natural hollows or in cavities excavated by woodpeckers. Many species roost under exfoliating bark or beneath thick convolutions in the furrowed bark of tree species like hickory, walnut, fir and some pines. Despite their bright red color, these bats are actually rather cryptic, often resembling dead leaves or pine cones. Red bats are well camouflaged as they hang curled-up in their furry tail membranes, suspended from a single foot, twisting slightly in the breeze. For the most part, red bats are solitary, coming together only to mate and to migrate.