Alternate name: Little Brown Myotis

Family: Vespertilionidae, Vespertilionid Bats view all from this family

Description An otherwise undistinguished species of Myotis that differs from the Yuma Myotis in having glossy fur, from the Indiana Myotis in lacking a keel on the calcar and having longer toe hairs, from the Long-legged Myotis in having less fur on the underside of the wing, and from Southwestern, Long-eared, Keen’s, and Northern Long-eared Myotis in having shorter ears (less than 16mm). Skull shows a more gradually ascending forehead than in the Yuma Myotis. Forearm 33-41mm. Widespread and common in buildings in summer, and hibernates in sizeable colonies in caves and mines.

Dimensions 60-102mm, 25-55mm, 7-13g

Warning Bats are susceptible to rabies, a serious viral disease that results in death if untreated. Rabid bats rarely attack humans or other animals, but bats found lying on the ground may be rabid. Never touch or pick up any bat. Stay away from any animal that seems to be acting strangely and report it to animal-control officers. If you are bitten by a possibly rabid animal, you must immediately consult a doctor for a series of injections; there is no cure once symptoms emerge.

Similar Species Differs from Indiana Myotis in lacking a keel on the calcar and having more and longer toe hairs. Obviously browner than the pipistrelles, smaller than the Big Brown Bat, and not white on the belly like the Evening Bat.

Breeding Migrates up to 1000km between summer breeding areas and winter hibernacula.

Habitat Canyons & caves, Cities, suburbs & towns, Lakes, ponds, rivers & streams, Swamps, marshes & bogs

Range Plains, Great Lakes, New England, Mid-Atlantic, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Southwest, California, Northwest, Eastern Canada, Western Canada, Alaska

Discussion Nocturnal and adept at using echolocation to catch their insect prey in mid-air.