Family: Vespertilionidae, Vespertilionid Bats view all from this family

Description Dull fur, light to dark brown with yellowish or orangish cast above, paler below; base of fur blackish. Ears, wings, and interfemoral membrane dark. Foot tiny. Calcar keeled. L 2 7/8-3 3/8" (74-85 mm); T 1 3/8-1 5/8" (36-42 mm); HF 1/4" (5-7 mm); FA 1 1/8-1 3/8" (29-36 mm).

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 Western Small-footed Myotis has glossy fur and blackish face and ears.

Breeding Maternity colonies are usually small. 1 young born late May-early June.

Habitat Desert to semi-desert areas; in Southwest, rocky canyons. Roosts by day in buildings, under bridges, under bark, and in hollow trees; by night, in buildings.

Range Western North America southward from sw British Columbia, and east to Idaho, Colorado, and Texas.

Discussion The California Myotis feeds on small flies, moths, and a few other insects. An ability to veer suddenly sideways, up, or down makes its flight conspicuously erratic. Some of these bats hibernate in mines in winter, while others remain active. Maternity colonies form in buildings or under bridges, and also in hollow trees or under bark.