Mexican Free-tail Bat

Distribution

Reproduction

Habitat

Diet

Mortality

Management

Literature Cited

Reproduction

Mexican free-tail bats migrate in the winter rather than hibernating, as do other bats (Krutzch et al. 2002).  The reproduction of this animal is dependant on the male because of a cyclic production of a specific enzyme denoting mature sperm.  This enzyme is typically present from June through October though mature sperm is often noted in the testis during February and March.  The female ovulation typically occurs during March.  Many of populations of Mexican free-tail bats in Texas will complete their move to Mexico for the breeding season (Schmidly 1999).  These bats will return to Texas to winter between December and February (Altringham 1996).  There is about a five-week breeding season for the Mexican free-tail bat (Wilkins 1989).  Ovulation takes place in a two to three week period in March and April (Wilkins 1989).  The gestation period for these bats is approximately 11-12 weeks and the birth occurs between mid-June and mid-July (TPWD Website).  This time span puts the mother bats back in Texas for the birth of a new generation of bats.  This allows the infant bat to grow and be apart of the full migration process learning where to locate in both summer and winter months.  Generally speaking the mother will only give birth to one pup, however twins and triplets are not uncommon (Schmidly 1999).  Birth is given while the mother is hanging upside down and the newborn locates the nipple and suckles until the cord breaks off at about two days (Wilkins 1989).