Bernheim Forest and Arboretum has been a safe haven for wildlife since its inception in 1929. This October, as bats fly into the limelight as a talisman for Halloween, we should be grateful that our forest can serve as a refuge for these nocturnal critters. Spanning more than 16,300 acres, Bernheim provides vital habitat for Kentucky’s bats, with 10 documented species and possibly as many as 13 of the 16 species of bats found in Kentucky. This forest is an incredible safe haven for a group of animals that face growing ecological and environmental challenges.
Among Bernheim’s residents are three federally endangered species: the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), Northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), and gray bat (Myotis grisescens). Each faces steep population declines, largely due to habitat loss and the devastating fungal disease known as White-Nose Syndrome, which has spread across much of North America in recent years.
Bernheim is also home to the federally threatened tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), one of the smallest bat species in the eastern United States. Formerly known as the eastern pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus), this bat is currently under review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for possible reclassification as federally endangered, reflecting its continuing decline throughout its range.
Bernheim’s mix of high-quality native habitats includes a diverse forest that provides an abundance of standing dead trees, or snags. These snags are vital to bat reproduction and survival, as many bat species use the loose bark and cavities as maternity roots, where females gather to give birth and raise their pups in the summer. The surrounding forest is home to a diverse array of insects, which is a bat’s main food source. By retaining and protecting a mosaic of early successional, mid successional, and mature forest, Berheim’s landscape ensures that these roosting colonies remain intact year after year.
Interspersed among Bernheim’s forests are numerous cave systems and rocky outcroppings that provide roosting and hibernation sites for additional bat species – particularly the gray bat, which relies heavily on caves year-round. Gray bats roost exclusively in caves during both summer and winter, often forming large colonies. These same subterranean spaces are also used by other bat species during hibernation, when constant cool temperatures and high humidity help them conserve energy through the winter months. The presence of both forested roosts and cave systems within Bernheim’s boundaries creates a unique habitat for Kentucky’s diverse bat population.
The Northern long-eared bat, once considered merely threatened, was reclassified as endangered in 2023 following a sharp population drop linked to White-Nose Syndrome. This disease, named for the white fungal growth seen on hibernating bats’ faces and wings, disrupts their hibernation cycles, depleting the fat reserves they need to survive winter. Despite these challenges, there is hope. Ongoing conservation efforts at Bernheim – including habitat management, forest restoration, and research collaborations – help protect these essential species. Bats play a crucial ecological role by consuming thousands of insects each night, reducing pest populations and benefiting forest health and agriculture alike.
Visitors who want to experience these remarkable mammals firsthand can join one of Bernheim’s guided bat walks, held on select evenings throughout the year. It’s an inspiring reminder that Bernheim’s night skies are full of life, and that each of us can play a part in protecting them.
