The Little Brown Myotis (commonly called the Little Brown Bat) is one of the most common bats in the U.S. and Canada. Its nitrate-rich guano was sold as fertilizer in the first half of the 20th century, Nursery colonies begin forming in April or May and disperse from late July through October. They may number in the thousands (one observed maternity colony had 6,700 individuals, others have had 4,000). The first two to three days after the young are born, their mothers suckle them constantly, except while foraging. Until they are ready to fly on their own, at about four weeks, the young remain in the roost while the mother hunts for small insects, especially flies and moths. Bats usually do not carry their young in flight. However, if disturbed, the mother may take flight with the young, carrying it crosswise, with the infant’s mouth grasping one teat and its hindlegs tucked under the opposite armpit. Besides echolocation clicks, this species produces warning "honks" when on a collision course with other bats during feeding or near roosts. In the fall, these bats may fly several hundred miles to a hibernating site; they often can be seen swarming at cave entrances. From September, October, or early November through March or April, they hibernate in irregular clusters, some tight, some loose. They wake an average of once every two weeks during hibernation and may fly about outdoors on warm winter nights, but without feeding. They store about 1/16 ounce (2 g) of fat as winter sustenance, using nearly three-quarters of it during winter awakenings and emergence. The remainder must sustain them through the winter.

description Variable shades of glossy brown above, with tips of hairs burnished brown; buff below. Tragus rounded and short (about 1/4"/7–8 mm). Calcar lacks keel or sometimes has weak keel. Hairs on toes project beyond ends of toes. L 31/8–3 5/8" (79–93 mm); T 1 1/4–1 5/8" (31–40 mm); HF 1/4– 3/8" (6–10 mm); FA 1 3/8"–1 5/8" (34–42 mm); E 5/8" (14–16 mm); Wt 1/16 –1/2 oz (3.1–14.4 g).

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