Bats of the United States and Canada

Greater Bonneted Bat, Eumops perotis

106 bats of the united states and canada GREATER BONNETED BAT Eumops perotis E.p. californicus, Special Concern–United States Weight is 60–70 grams (2.1–2.5 ounces); wingspan is 53–57 centimeters (21–22 inches); distribution is central California to central Mexico and northern South America to northern Argentina. It is capable of fast and prolonged flight; the wings are long and slender and the flight membranes are tough and leathery. These bats live in high, dry places. They usually cannot get airborne from the ground and will scramble to a post or a tree to gain height for launching. In the southwestern United States, the greater bonneted bat is most common in rugged rocky canyons and cliffs, where crevices provide favored daytime retreats. Colonies are small, usually fewer than 100, and adult males sometimes are present in maternity colonies. Some roosting sites are occupied throughout the year, but the four seasons usually are spent in different roosts. This species produces a highpitched call that can be heard when they are flying up to 300 meters (about 1,000 feet) above the ground. Males have a dermal gland that becomes enlarged during the mating season. When enlarged, this gland produces a thick, oily secretion with a strong odor that may serve to attract females. Greater bonneted bats feed on insects, including dragonflies, grasshoppers, beetles, true bugs, moths, wasps, and ants. Mating occurs in early spring when the dermal gland of the male is most functional. Dates of parturition usually vary more in this species than in any other bat in the United States; May, June, July, August, or September. One baby ordinarily is born; twins are rare. The subspecies that occurs in the United States, E. p. californicus (western bonneted bat), has been proposed for listing as threatened or endangered. recto runninghead 107 ...