CeeJayee's Critter Care & Wildlife Education Center

                                                              Little Brown Bat  

 

                                                                   

 

 

The Little Brown bat has brown fur. At the ears & nose, its somewhat darker. This gives it a masked look. It weighs approximately 7-14 grams (0.3-0.5oz). It has a wingspan of about 9-11in (22-27cm). This species has a wide distribution - from central Alaska all the way to central Mexico.

 

Unlike the Indiana bat, the Little Brown bat doesn't have a keeled calcar.

 

Little Brown bats like to roost in loose clusters. It generally hibernates in caves, or mines. Often, during the summer, they will hibernate in buildings, especially hot attics, where hundreds, or maybe even thousands of females will make a nursery colony. I read that it is unknown where males roost during the summer, but they are likely to be solitary in a variety of roosts. Colonies like to roost near water, such as a lake, or a stream. They like to forage over the water, but also forage among trees, in somewhat open areas. It may repeat its hunting pattern - around a house or through the trees.

 

                                                         

 

 

The Little Brown bat eat a variety of insects - including: gnats, crane flies, beetles, wasps, and moths. As you can see, bats are extremely essential to helping keeping insects under control.

 

Little Brown bats may mate in autumn, but they may also mate during the hibernation period. Little Browns also have 1 pup, born in May, June or early July. The pup is kept under a wing of the mom during the day when she is at rest.

 

 

                                                           

 

 

The Little Brown bat may live 20 yrs. It is one of the most common bats in much of the northern US & Canada. However, it is scarce in the lower part of its range, or only local in those areas. It does have subspecies in the southwestern US, M.l.occultus (Arizona bat). The Arizona bat is considered to be of special concern.

 

 

Bats can live many years, with a record of 31 years by a Little Brown bat.

 

 

 

 

Little Brown Bat Resources:

Myotis lucifusus - Little Brown Bat

Checklist of the Mammals of NYS

Book: Bats of the United States - Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (Thank you Cindy!:)