User:Daniel.sexton/Gould's long-eared bat

Physiology
Nyctophilus Gouldi regularly enters a state of reduced energy usage called torpor. During periods of torpor, metabolic rate is greatly reduced from the basal rate and Nyctophilus Gouldi cease thermoregulation and conform to the temperature of their roosts. This behavior conserves energy consumption during periods of poor resource availability and cold weather. It is also of note that Nyctophilus Gouldi enter torpor more frequently than northern hemisphere microbats and have a low minimum body temperature and a high threshold temperature at which they enter torpor. Entering torpor frequently may help Nyctophilus Gouldi circumvent some of the thermal challenges of having a high surface area to volume ratio. Adding to this is the possibility that Nyctophilus Gouldi take advantage of their small body size through their roosting behaviors. Rather than choosing roost sites with stable temperatures Nyctophilus Gouldi prefer to roost under tree bark which is exposed to a variety of temperatures throughout a day. Periods of increased roost temperatures may ease the transition to thermoregulation after prolonged periods of torpor. Although Nyctophilus Gouldi enters torpor predictably at temperatures below 25 °C, eating delays the onset of torpor significantly.