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Surfactant lipid composition was analysed from groups of bats killed every 4 brs throughout a 24hr period. Individuals in each group could be torpid, warm active or post flying, reflecting the 3 possible activity states at each time point. Whole body plethysmography was used to determine changes in metabolism and breathing pattern. Surfactant composition varied markedly throughout the 24 hr period. Alterations in the relative proportions of cholesterol and disaturated phospholipid associated with torpor and exercise may reflect adaptations to maintain optimal surfactant fluidity and therefore lung function. C. gouldii is an excellent model for investigating the plasticity of the surfactant system in response to spectacular diurnal changes in activity and temperature.