Pallid bat

Pallid bat
Identifying Features

The Pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) has yellowish brown to cream colored fur on its back and white fur on its belly. What is most noticeable about this bat are its large ears. The ears are almost half as long as the total length of its head and body. Also, its eyes are larger than most species of North American bats.


Migration/Hibernation

Pallid bats do not appear to migrate any great distance as the seasons change. They will break into smaller groups and hibernate deep within crevices in canyon walls, in buildings or deep in caves where the temperature is more constant.

Habitat

The pallid bat is can be found found in arid regions with rocky outcroppings, to open, sparsely vegetated grasslands. Water must be available close by to all sites. They typically will use three different types of roosts. A day roost which can be a warm, horizontal opening such as in attics, shutters or crevices; the night roost is in the open, but with foliage nearby; and the hibernation roost mentioned above, which is often in buildings, caves, or cracks in rocks.

Range

They occur in arid and semi-arid regions across much of the American west, up and down the coast from Canada and Mexico. A few isolated colonies have been found in northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas.

Wild Status

Throughout it's range the pallid bat is considered a common species. There is some concern for this and all bats as they are sensitive to human encroachment. Human disturbance of roosting areas and pesticide use are of increasing concern.

Diet

Pallid bats will eat a variety of prey items. These can include crickets, scorpions, centipedes, ground beetles, grasshoppers, cicadas, praying mantis and long-horned beetles. They have been known to eat lizards and rodents. What is unique to the pallid bat is that it catches its food almost exclusively on the ground as opposed to while in flight. After catching its prey it will fly to a convenient location to consume its meal.

Predators

Because they capture their prey on the ground they are susceptible to predators on the ground. These can include cats, fox, racoon, snakes, coyotes and frogs. Owls also prey upon them while in flight.

Reproduction

Maternity colonies are rather small in size, ranging from 20-100 animals. Mating takes place in the fall resulting in usually two babies being born in the late spring. The pups begin to fly within five to six weeks.

Life Span

The pallid bat may live as many as10 years in the wild.

Size

Pallid bats weigh 0.7-1.2 oz (20-35g) and have a wingspan of 15-16 in (37-41 cm).

Extra Fun-facts

A pallid bat can eat half of its body weight in one night. Imagine people doing that!
Because they have such large ears they are able to detect the sound of their prey's footsteps on the ground.
While on the ground they exhibit a variety of gaits and strides.

Western red bat

Western red bat

Identifying Features

The western red bat (Lasirurs blossevillii) is considered by many to be one of the more beautiful bat species. Its dense shaggy fur ranges from brownish-yellow to an almost bright orange with white hair tips and white fur on its neck. The wing membranes are black and the top of its tail membrane is furred.


Migration/Hibernation

Studies of these bats indicate they migrate to the southern part of their range to hibernate. They are solitary by nature, but will gather in larger nursery roosts during the summer.

Habitat

Western red bats are solitary animals who prefer riparian areas dominated by walnuts, oaks, willows, cottonwoods, and sycamores where they roost in these broad-leafed trees. They roost only in tree foliage.

Range

These bats can be found in western Canada, the western United States, western Mexico and Central America.

Wild Status

Currently there is no proposal for listing this bat as threatened or endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. However, bat biologist are concerned that the loss of suitable riparian habitats are affecting the population and are keeping a close watch on this species.

Diet

The western red bat is an insectivore. When it emerges from it daytime roost it searches out primarily flying insects such as moths, flying ants and beetles. On occasion it will capture an insect on the ground.

Predators

Predators of these bats include falcons, scrub jays, owls, roadrunners, feral cats, raccoons and opossums.

Reproduction

Mating occurs in the fall. Sometime between May and late June the female will often give birth to twins. The pups begin flying at 3 to 4 weeks.

Life Span

The estimated life span of the western red bat is 12 years.

Size

Their weight is between 0.4-0.5 oz (10-15 g). Their wingspan is between 11-13 inches (28-32 cm).

Extra Fun-facts

Despite their bright color, these bats are well camouflaged in their tree roosts. When they fold their wings over their bodies they resemble dead leaves.

Townsend's big-eared bat

 Townsend's big-eared bat
Identifying Features

Townsend's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii) are a medium-sized bat with very long ears. Their fur is pale gray or brown above and buff colored on the underside. This bat's ears are enormous, reaching a length of 38 mm. When the ears are laid back they extend to the middle of its body. The face is marked by two large glandular lumps on either side of its nose.


Migration/Hibernation

These bats do not undertake a major migration and are generally rather sedentary. The hibernation roosts are usually abandoned mines or caves that have low and stable temperatures. While hibernating they hang solo or in small groups in the open, with their fur erect to provide maximum insulation and with their ears coiled back.

Habitat

Townsend's big-eared bats will use a variety of habitats, almost always near caves or other roosting areas. They can be found in pine forests and arid desert scrub habitats. When roosting they do not tuck themselves into cracks and crevices like many bat species do, but prefer large open areas.

Range

These bats can be found throughout the western U.S. from British Columbia down into central Mexico.

Wild Status

They are generally in decline in most areas, and are listed as an Endangered species in Washington, a Sensitive species in Oregon, a Species of Special Concern in Texas, Montana and California. Because this species is sensitive to disturbance, it has been documented that they will abandon roost sites after human interference. In large portions of its western range, their dependence upon abandoned mines has put them at risk. Pesticide spraying also may affect their food source.

Diet

They specialize in eating moths and other insects such as beetles, flies and wasps. Townsend's big-eared bat is usually a late flier and will forage along the edge of vegetation.

Predators

It is assumed as with many bat species that predators can include snakes, owls, cats, raccoons and hawks.

Reproduction

Summer maternity colonies range in size from a few dozen to hundreds of individuals. These colonies form between March and June with pups born between May and July. Maternity colonies choose sites that have warm, stable temperatures for pup rearing. Males remain solitary during the maternity season. Young are born in mid-June with about 90 percent of all females in the nursery colonies producing young. Only one young is born per female. Pups will begin to flying at about 3 weeks old.

Life Span

These bats live from four to ten years; maximum life span recorded is sixteen years.

Size

Their wingspan is12-13 in (30-34 cm) and they weigh between 0.3-0.5 oz (9-14 g).

Extra Fun-facts

When it's roosting or hibernating, Townsend's big-eared bat curls up its long ears so they look like rams horns.
When flying they can rapidly extend or contract their ears. When flying with their ears extended the ears point forward and are nearly parallel to their body.