The
limestone caves are used by more than 10.000 bats for wintering. During
spring and summer the bats are active all over Jutland feeding on a diet
of insects. The female bats live in "summercolonies" where they give birth
to their young. On the approach of August the bats return to Mønsted where
they mate and then settle into hibernation.
During the first winter months the bats are well hidden in loose limestone
or in cracks, but as the winter passes by and the spring is near most
would have already been outside to see if winter has gone. It is at this
time that the bats can be seen hanging on the walls or off the ceiling,
waiting for spring.
The bats are unfortunately a threatened species. The animals must not
be disturbed during mating and flying season, so the caves are not opened
for evening and night visitors between the 16th March and the 10th May
and again between the 1st September and the 31st October.
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