Forest characteristics predict Tri-colored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus) activity within novel Colorado habitats.

This article focuses on documenting the activity and habitat use of tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) in novel, high-elevation montane and subalpine habitats of northern Colorado, particularly in forests recovering from bark beetle outbreaks. Using acoustic monitoring and habitat modeling, the study found that tri-colored bats exhibit variable activity patterns across the active season, with higher activity in meadows and early successional forests early in summer and increased use of late successional forests later in the season. Key habitat features influencing bat activity included time since beetle kill, volume of coarse woody debris, and seasonal timing. These findings suggest that tri-colored bats are adapting to novel western habitats beyond their historically lowland riparian range, which may have implications for conservation as the species faces threats such as white-nose syndrome.