CeeJayee's Critter Care & Wildlife Education Center

                                                            Indiana Bat   

  

                                     

 

 

The Indiana bat is small, measureing approximately 2 inches (51mm).  It weighs approximately .2-.3 oz (6-9grams). It's wingspan is approximately 9-11ins. (24-28cm). 

 

Distinguishing bats is hard. Especially because we usually see them as dark approaches flying around a few feet above our head.

 

The Indiana bat is one of the more difficult bats to identify. The Little Brown bat looks most like the Indiana bat.  The Indiana bat is usually a dark grey, or a dark-grey-ish brown color. They usually have a pink nose. Indiana bats have small feet, with few hairs. Indiana bats generally have a keeled calcar. Indiana bats will roost in tight clusters. You will see their little faces peeking out at you.

 

 

                                                        

They feed solely on insects. These insects include, but may not be limited to: moths, beetles, and other soft & hard-bodied insects. I've read that females will eat soft-bodied insects when pregnant, moths when they are lactating & moths, beetles & hard-bodied insects after lactation. Males eat a variety of insects. 

 

Females will roost in nurseries. The females will leave hibernation roosts before the males & head to maternity roosts in mid-May. They will have a single pup. They are thought to have their pups in June. The pups are able to fly in about a month. The pup is raised under loose bark of trees. This is generally in a wooded area, near to a stream.

 

Bats will swarm into caves in late August, or early September and mate. The females will store the sperm until spring. In the spring, the sperm will fertilize her egg. Males often roost near the maternity colonies, but I've read it is unknown yet where they spend their days.

 

Indiana bats often roost in groups of approximately 300/sq foot in their hibernaculas. They will arrive at the hibernacula between early August & mid-September. They engage in swarming & mating behaviors. They work on building up fat for the winter during this time, as well. Indiana Bats hibernate from October through April - depending on the climate of their area.

 

Indiana bats have a documented lifespan of almost 14 years. This species is endangered and numbers fewer than 360,000. More than 85% of these bats are known to hibernate at only 9 different locations. This makes it extremely important to be careful not to cause destruction to their habitat! We could easily wipe out this species in no time. At this time, there are on-going recovery efforts for this bat species. It is having little affect at this time. The numbers are continuing to decline.

 

 

 

Indiana Bat Resources:

Book:   Bats of the United States - published by the Arkansas Game & Fish Comission (from my great friend Cindy! Thank you!!:)

Checklist of Mammals for New York

Indiana Bat Fact Sheet - NYS DEC

Indiana Bat - October 2003 Species of the Month - NJ DEP