Bats of the United States and Canada

Seminole Bat, Lasiurus seminolus

130 bats of the united states and canada SEMINOLE BAT Lasiurus seminolus Weight is 9–14 grams (0.3–0.5 ounce); wingspan is 29–31 centimeters (11–12 inches). Distribution is the southeastern United States; extralimital records include New York, Pennsylvania , southern Texas, Bermuda, and Veracruz, Mexico. The distribution of Seminole bats nearly coincides with that of the Spanish moss where they often roost, but they also are known to roost beneath loose bark, in clumps of foliage, and in caves. These bats often select roost sites in moss hanging on the southwestern side of trees. The height of clumps of Spanish moss occupied by Seminole bats is variable, but the moss is high enough in the tree for the bat to drop into the unobstructed space beneath when initiating flight. These are the most common bats seen flying in the evening throughout much of the southeastern United States. They fly during all seasons, even on warm evenings in midwinter. This species emerges early in the evening from daytime roosts and usually feeds at treetop level. The flight is direct and usually rather swift. Seminole bats consume true bugs, flies, mosquitoes , beetles, crickets, and other insects, which usually are captured around and in the tree canopy. One to four babies are born during late spring or early summer. Like several other species, Seminole bats apparently wander extensively after the young are weaned, as indicated by late summer occurrence outside the breeding range. The Seminole bat is common throughout most of its range. recto runninghead 131 ...