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MAMMALS » BATS
Southeastern Bat

Southeastern Myotis
Myotis austroriparius

This is one of six "mouse-eared bats" (Myotis) in the state. Distribution in the state occurs primarily west of the Tennessee River.

Description:
A small bat with thick, wooly, short fur, which is grayish-brown to yellowish-brown on the back and buffy underneath. There is no strong contrast in color between the thin wings and fur. The tail and wing membranes attach above the ankle. It has rounded ears with a short, blunt tragus (membrane inside ear).
Length: 3.4 - 3.9 inches
Tail: 1.4 - 1.8 inches
Ears: 0.5 - 0.6 inches
Weight: 0.25 - 0.38 ounces

Similar Species:
The other Myotis bats are difficult to distinguish from one another without close examination:

•· Gray Myotis

•· Northern Long-eared Myotis

•· Indiana Myotis

•· Eastern Small-footed Myotis

•· Little Brown Myotis


Habitat: Primarily roosts in buildings and hollow trees in the south, but will also use caves and other man-made structures. Maternity colonies are formed in caves. Southeastern Myotis are usually associated with water, often roosting over water.

Diet:
Normally feeds on insects such as midges, mosquitoes, beetles, moths, and flies while flying low over water.

Breeding information:
Mating habits are poorly known, but maternity colonies begin forming in March in caves that contain water. Southeastern Myotis is the only Myotis species to give birth to twin young. The young are born naked with their eyes and ears closed and weigh slightly more than 1 gram. Young bats are old enough to fly in 5-6 weeks.

Status in Tennessee:
Southeastern Myotis is Deemed in Need of Management by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and has recently been proposed for threatened or endangered status. It is relatively common in western Tennessee.

Fun Facts:

  • Giving birth to twins is thought to be an adaptive strategy to compensate for higher juvenile mortality. The young have higher juvenile mortality due to maternity colonies occurring in caves with water. Young bats occasionally fall into the water and drown.

Best places to see in Tennessee: Western edge of the state along the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

For more information:

Tennessee Bat Working Group Species Account

Sources:

Gomoll, S. and C. Yahnke. 2004. "Myotis austroriparius" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web.

Whitaker, Jr., J. O. 1980. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York.



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