Bats of the United States and Canada

Southeastern Bat, Myotis austroriparius

154 bats of the united states and canada SOUTHEASTERN BAT (Southeastern Myotis) Myotis austroriparius Special Concern–United States Weight is 5–8 grams (0.2–0.3 ounce); wingspan is 24–27 centimeters (9–11 inches). Distribution includes the southeastern United States from southern Illinois and Indiana to northeastern Texas and northern Florida. Caves are favorite roosting sites, although buildings and other shelters sometimes are used. Maternity colonies composed of thousands of individuals inhabit caves. Throughout much of the South, these bats reside in buildings and hollow trees; in the northern part of their range they roost primarily in caves. In autumn, they leave large maternity caves, and small groups of these bats take up residence in caves and outdoor sites where they overwinter. Predators include Virginia opossums, snakes, and owls. By destroying roosting sites and killing these bats, humans are the major threat to the species. Southeastern bats usually are associated with bodies of water, over which they feed. They forage low, close to the water’s surface. A variety of insects is consumed, but the diet of this species has not been studied. Mating time is unknown, but about 90% of pregnant females bear twins in late April or mid-May. Production of twins is unique among bats of the genus Myotis in the United States; all other Myotis generally produce only one baby. Clusters of babies often are separate from adult females during the day. Young bats can fly when 5–6 weeks old. Once common, populations of the southeastern bat have decreased significantly; it has been proposed for listing as threatened or endangered. recto runninghead 155 ...