Bats of the United States and Canada

California Leaf-nosed Bat, Macrotus californicus

98 bats of the united states and canada CALIFORNIA LEAF-NOSED BAT Macrotus californicus Special Concern–United States Weight is 8–17 grams (0.3–0.6 ounce); wingspan is 33–35 centimeters (13–14 inches); distribution is the southwestern United States, western and southern Mexico, and northern Central America. This rather large bat is a resident of lowland desert habitat. Its favored daytime retreat is abandoned mine tunnels, which provide protection from the heat and the drying effects of the desert climate. When at rest, the bat hangs pendant by gripping the ceiling of its roost with one or both feet. Much of the time at rest is spent hanging from a single foot with the other leg relaxed and dangling to the side. The free foot is used for scratching and grooming as the bat swings gently , like a pendulum. This species, like most other bats, uses resting places during its nocturnal forays. These night roosts include open buildings, cellars, porches, bridges, rock shelters, and mines. Emergence from the day roost begins about an hour after sunset, considerably later than for most other species of bats, and is spread over about 3 hours, with small groups of bats often leaving together. Grasshoppers, cicadas, moths, caterpillars, and beetles are consumed. Remains of sphinx moths, butterflies, and dragonflies have been found beneath night roosts. Although twins are known, usually one baby is born sometime between mid-May and mid-July. The California leafnosed bat has been proposed for listing as threatened or endangered. recto runninghead 99 ...