Southeastern Bat

Scientific Name: Myotis austroriparius

Weight: 5-8 grams

Wingspan: 24-27centimeters

Distribution: Southeastern United States from southern Illinois and Indiana to northeastern Texas and northern Florida.

Ecology and Behavior: Caves are favorite roosting sites, although buildings and other shelters are sometimes used. Maternity colonies comprised of thousands of individuals inhabit caves. Throughout much of the South, these bats reside in buildings and hollow trees, in the northern part of their range they roost primarily in caves. Predators include opossums, snakes, and owls, but by destruction of roosting sites and killing of these bats humans probably are the major threat to the species. Southeastern bats are usually associated with bodies of water, over which they feed. They forage low, close to the water's surface.

Food Habits: Probably a variety of insects, but the diet of the species has not been studied.

Reproduction: Mating time is unknown, but about 90% of pregnant females bear twins in late April to mid- May. The production of twins is unique to species of bats in the genus Myotis in the United States; all other Myotis usually produce one young. Clusters of young often are separate from females during the day. Young can fly when 5 or 6 weeks old.

Status of Populations: Once common, populations of the southeastern bat have decreased and it has been proposed for listing as threatened or endangered.