Bats of the United States and Canada

Silver-haired Bat, Lasionycteris noctivagans

150 bats of the united states and canada SILVER-HAIRED BAT Lasionycteris noctivagans Weight is 8–11 grams (0.3–0.4 ounce); wingspan is 27–31 centimeters (11–12 inches); distribution is southern Alaska across southern Canada and southward through much of the United States to northeastern Mexico. A typical day roost is under loose tree bark, but these bats also have been found in woodpecker holes and bird nests. Although they may appear in any kind of building, they favor open sheds, garages, and outbuildings rather than enclosed attics. During migration, they may be encountered in a variety of other shelters including piles of railroad ties, lumber, and fenceposts. Silver-haired bats are rather common locally in migration during a 2–3-week period in May (Illinois) and in April (Kentucky and Tennessee). Autumn migration is spread over a longer period and these bats seem less common. They hibernate in trees, buildings, rock crevices, and similar protected shelters. This species emerges earlier than most. Easily recognizable in flight, it is one of the slowest flying bats in North America. It forages over woodland ponds and streams at heights up to 7–8 meters (20–25 feet) and sometimes flies repeatedly over the same circuit during the evening. Silver-haired bats consume insects including moths, true bugs, flies, mosquitoes, termites, and beetles. Young apparently are raised in the northern tier of states and northward into Canada. Most females give birth to twins in June or early July. This bat is relatively uncommon throughout much of its range, especially in the southeastern United States. recto runninghead 151 ...