The bat Y-maze is utilized for studying spatial learning and memory in bats. It is a modification of the traditional Y-maze used in rodents, featuring three arms joined together to form a capital ‘Y’ shape. In this maze, bats follow basic decision-making protocols where they choose between maze arms based on memory or exploratory behavior.

Bats exhibit diverse behavioral patterns such as roosting, foraging, seeking hibernacula, and nurturing young (Fenton, 1985; Guthrie, 1933; Davis & Hitchcock, 1965). The bat Y-maze facilitates observation of these exploratory and social behaviors. The choice arms of the maze can contain different odor cues or rewards, with wire mesh cages attached to hold stimulus bats at the arm ends. Lighting modifications, such as having one lit and one dark arm, can also be incorporated. Moreover, the bat Y-maze enables testing of the effects of diseases, brain lesions, and drugs on learning and memory behaviors.

Other Y-mazes utilized across various animal species include the rodent Y-maze, zebrafish Y-maze, ant Y-maze, honeybee Y-maze, and bumblebee Y-maze.