Bats of the United States and Canada

Indiana Bat, Myotis sodalis

176 bats of the united states and canada INDIANA BAT (Indiana Myotis) Myotis sodalis Endangered–United States Weight is 7–8 grams (0.2–0.3 ounce); wingspan is 24–27 centimeters (9–11 inches). Its distribution includes cave regions in the eastern United States. Indiana bats usually hibernate in large dense clusters of up to several thousand individuals in sections of the hibernation cave where temperatures average 3–6°C (38–43°F), with a relative humidity of 66%–95%. They may hibernate from October to April, depending on climatic conditions. Females depart hibernation caves before males and arrive at summer maternity roosts in mid-May. The summer roost of adult males often is near maternity roosts, but where most males spend the day is unknown. Some remain near the hibernaculum, and a few males are in caves during summer. Between early August and mid-September, Indiana bats arrive near their hibernation caves and engage in swarming and mating activity. Swarming at cave openings continues into middle or late October. During this time, fat reserves are built up for hibernation. When pregnant, females consume soft-bodied insects; they eat moths when lactating, and moths, beetles, and hard-bodied insects after lactation. Males also eat a variety of insects. One baby is born in June and is raised under loose tree bark, primarily in wooded streamside habitat. Life spans of nearly 14 years have been documented. In 2009, total population of this endangered species was about 387,500, with more than 85% hibernating at only 15 locations, making them extremely vulnerable to destruction by humans or from natural catastrophic events. Populations have increased during recent years. However, more recently, hundreds of thousands of Indiana bats, as well as other cave-dwelling species of bats in the eastern United States, have died due to a disease known as white-nose syndrome. recto runninghead 177 ...