Bats of the United States and Canada

Eastern Small-footed Bat, Myotis leibii

166 bats of the united states and canada EASTERN SMALL-FOOTED BAT (Eastern Small-footed Myotis) Myotis leibii Special Concern–United States Weight is 3–4 grams (0.1 ounce); wingspan is 21–25 centimeters (8–10 inches); distribution is from eastern Canada and New England southward to Alabama and Georgia and westward to Oklahoma. This is one of the smallest bats in the United States and Canada. Eastern small-footed bats hibernate in caves or mines and are among the hardiest of cave bats. They are one of the last to enter caves in autumn and often hibernate near entrances of caves or mines where temperatures drop below freezing and where humidity is relatively low. Several have been found hibernating in cracks in cave floors and under rock slabs in quarries and elsewhere. The tolerance for cold, relatively dry places for hibernation is remarkable for such a small bat. In summer , they often inhabit buildings and caves. One small summer colony was behind a sliding door of a barn, and individuals may roost in rock crevices or expansion joints of bridges. They often fly repeated patterns within less than 1 meter (3 feet) of the floor of a cave or crevice, hang up on the wall, and then fly again. These bats emerge to forage shortly after sunset; they fly slowly and erratically, usually 1–3 meters (3–10 feet) above the ground. Apparently these bats fill their stomachs within an hour after foraging begins in the evening. They consume flies, mosquitoes, true bugs, beetles, ants, and other insects. One baby is born in late spring or early summer. Nursery colonies of up to 20 bats have been reported from buildings. Lifespan is unknown, but may be more than 9 years. The eastern small-footed bat is uncommon throughout most of its range and has been proposed for listing as threatened or endangered. recto runninghead 167 ...