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Natural History and Identification of Bats in Central Coastal California (My-Pt).
Mark R. Stromberg, Hastings Reservation
The best way to introduce the bats is probably by showing you a picture or two for each and then giving you a bit of information on the natural history of the bats. I will present them in alphabetical order, using their scientific names. The photos are mostly from a great book ("Bats of America" by Roger Barbour and W. H. Davis. 1969 Univ. of Kentucky Press). This book has a good key to the bats of North America. A Key to the California Bats will allow you figure out which bat you have in hand. Photos should not be used elsewhere without permission. Contact Bat Conservation International for photographs of bats. Amy Fesnock of Pinnacles National Monument straddling San Benito and Monterey Counties, made the bat voice recordings. Bat vocalizations are recorded with special microphones that can hear sounds that are 10x higher in frequency than humans can hear. To let us hear the sounds, they were translated by dividing the frequency by 10; thus a 20,000 Hz sound is beyond most of our hearing and is presented here as 2,000 Hz. Jeff Froke, Santa Lucia Preserve, on the southwestern flanks of Carmel Valley provided information on bat distribution there. Other information is derrived from the files at Hastings.
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Yuma MyotisMyotis yumanensis
photo by Roger Barbour
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Named for the area on the lower Colorado River where the Quechan native people spoke the Yuma language, this rather small bat (total length 85-90 mm) has large feet (10 mm) with short ears (14-15 mm), and lacks a keel on the calcar. Fur tan to dark brown. Ranges from BC, across states of west coast of the U. S., extending east over parts of NV, ID, WY, and much of AZ, CO, UT and NM. Occurs south in Mexico to Hildago.Very closely associated with streams, rarely found far from water. They fly only inches above the water, taking insects on the wing, filling their stomachs in as little as 15 m after dusk. A large colony (5,000?) was once known in a church belfry in Wadsworth, NV and at dusk would stream out, swiftly skimming the surface of the nearby Truckee River. Two hours after dark, only a few were seen flying around street lights. Nursery colonies occupy buildings, moving during the day to stay in areas from 32-40°C (90-107°F), avoiding the higher temperatures of up to 50°C (120°F). Maternity colonies will not tolerate disturbance by people, and will fail or be abandoned, with subsequent declines in populations. Single young born each year, in May to mid-Jun. As with other Myotis, males form separate colonies while young are raised by females. Known from Pinnacles, Hastings and Santa Lucia Preserve. |
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Western PipistrellePipistrellus hesperus
photo by Roger Barbour
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The smallest bat in North America (total length: 60-70 mm), Pipistrelles have a very unique tragus and distinctive profile. Their calcar is keeled. Only one tiny premolar. (Myotis have two, remember?) Fur is usually very pale yellow to light gray or brown; membranes of wings, ears and tail are dark black. Occur from deserts and lowlands of western NA from e. WA, NV, UT, central CA, most of AZ, NM, w. TX and south to Michoacan and Hildago in Mexico. Present in southern US during winters. A bat of the deserts, rarely uses buildings. Roosts in rocky canyons, crevices in cliffs or outcrops. May hibernate during winter in mines and caves. Emerges early in evening for only a few hours and may fly again briefly well after dawn. Flight is fluttery and slow and even a gentle breeze may limit their flights. Two young born each year, often in Jun. Small maternity colonies in rock crevices, with young flying by early Jul. Known from Pinnacles. |
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Townsend's Long-eared BatPlecotus townsendii
Photo by Roger Barbour
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No mistake on those ears! Not much larger (total length 90-115 mm) than the typically little Myotis bats, they have long ears (30-40 mm) and two distinct lumps on nose. Fur is pale to dark brown or almost black above and brown below. In flight, the ears point forward and down; strong flier and agile- able to dodge attempts at capture. Rarely caught in mist nets. Range across w. North America into central Mexico. Frequently found in abandoned mines and caves. Both day and night roosts in caves. Commonly use buildings as night roosts only. Breeding occurs from Nov to Feb. Sperm stored over winter, with ovulation and fertilization in spring. Single young, gestation 56-100 days. Young large- 25% of mother's weight at birth, weaned at 6 weeks. Maternity colonies formed, often in caves. May live up to 16 years. Gentle flyers, capable of hovering with slow wing beats. Emerge from late afternoon to 4-5 hr. after sunset. During sleep, ears coiled up like ram's horn. May lose 1/2 body mass during normal over-winter hibernation, and if hibernating colony disturbed by human visit, critical energy stored is used to escape and bats then may not survive the balance of hibernation (cold) period. Moth specialists, selecting flying prey 3-10 mm in length. Habitat loss, vandalism, and increased disturbance by cavers in maternity and roost colonies have reduced the numbers of this gentle bat. Known from Pinnacles and Hastings, where one was found roosting during the day in the workshop. |
