ʻŌpeʻapeʻa and Science
The below research poster is an experiment we did to test our hypothesis about how light levels affect bat foraging activity. This year we are going to redo our experiment to ensure our findings are 100% accurate. We also plan on doing tests during a new moon phase and running the experiment throughout the whole month. Each month we do at least one foraging night where we observe and collect data about the 'Ōpe'ape'a.
Foraging Nights
On our Foraging Nights, we make scientific observations about what time we see bats, where we see them, and what they are doing.
ANABAT Detecting
On Regular & Camp Foraging Nites, we use these devices known as ANABAT detectors that allow us to hear the high frequency bats make while echolocating.
Bat Netting
During Foraging Camp Nites, sometimes we have opportunities to set up nets in hope of catching a bat, tagging it, & releasing it back into the wild.
Setting up SM2 BAT Detectors
This is us setting up SM2 BAT detectors that could be left out at night to record bat calls, & feeding buzzes. We would leave the detectors for about 2 nights, then come back and view the recordings. After that, we would restart the cycle again.
Echolocation
'Ōpe'ape'a use echolocation to find food, and navigate. A common thought is that the 'Ōpe'ape'a has poor eyesight but they actually have good eyesight.
