Family: Vespertilionidae, Vespertilionid Bats view all from this family

Description Glossy fur, light tan to golden brown above; buff to nearly white below. Black ears; black mask. Wings and interfemoral membrane dark brown. Calcar keeled. L 2 3/4-3 1/4" (71-82 mm); T 1 1/8-1 1/4" (30-38 mm); HF 1/4" (6-8 mm); FA 1 1/8-1 3/8" (30-36 mm); Wt 1/4 oz (6-9 g).

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 Eastern Pipistrelle has tricolored reddish fur. Little Brown Myotis lacks or has weak keel on calcar.

Breeding 1 young born June-early July in small nursery colonies (12-20 individuals) in buildings.

Habitat Wooded areas. Winters in caves and mines; has been found beneath rock slabs, a sliding door, and wallpaper, and in crevices.

Range Southern Ontario and ne U.S. from Maine south through Appalachians. Isolated populations in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kentucky.

Discussion The hindfoot of the Eastern Small-footed Myotis is slightly smaller than that of most other members of the genus. It hibernates in small numbers in caves, often wedged into crevices, sometimes under rocks on the cave floor. The feeding and other habits of this species are little known.