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Gray Bat
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Scientific name:
Myotis grisecens.
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Weight 8-11
grams. Wingspan: 27-30 centimeters.
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Distribution:
Cave regions of Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama,
with occasional colonies found in adjacent states.
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Ecology and
Behavior: Gray bats are cave residents year-round, but different
caves usually are occupied in summer and winter. Few have been found
roosting outside of caves. They hibernate primarily in deep vertical
caves with large rooms acting as cold- air traps (42-52*F). In summer,
females form maternity colonies of a few hundred to many thousands of
individuals, often in large caves containing streams. Maternity colonies
occur in caves that, because of their configuration trap warm air
(58-77* F) or provide restricted rooms or domed ceilings capable of
trapping combined body heat from clustered individuals. Because of their
specific habitat requirements fewer than 5% of available caves are
suitable for gray bats. Males and non-reproductive females form bachelor
colonies in the summer. Gray bats primarily forage over water of rivers
and lakes.
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Food Habits:
Mayflies are important in the diet, but gray bats also consume a variety
of other insects.
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Reproduction:
Mating occurs in September and October, and females enter hibernation
immediately after mating. Females sore sperm throughout the winter and
become pregnant after emerging from hibernation. One young is born in
late May or early June, and begins to fly within 20-25 days after birth.
The lifespan of gray bats may exceed 15 years.
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Status of
Populations: Endangered. About 95% of these bats hibernate in only
eight caves making them extremely vulnerable to destruction.
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