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Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat
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Scientific name: Corynorhinus
rafinesquii.
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Weight: 8-14 grams.
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Wingspan: 26-30
centimeters.
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Distribution: Southeastern United States.
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Ecology
and Behavior: The least known of all the bats in the eastern United
States. In the northern part of its range, it hibernates in caves, mines
and similar habitats including cisterns and wells. In contrast,
Rafinesque’s big- eared bats usually are not found in caves during winter
in the more southern parts of their range. Maternity colonies are found
more rarely in caves and mines. Males generally are solitary during
summer, roosting in buildings or hollow trees. When approached in summer,
these bats are immediately alerted and begin to wave their ears,
apparently trying to keep track of the intruder. This species and the
eastern pipistrelle choose more open and lighted day roosts than other
kinds of bats. Both species commonly hang in the open in plain sight.
Rafinesque’s big-eared bats emerge late in the evening to forage;
apparently it does not forage at twilight. Its flight is remarkably agile.
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Food Habits: Probably eats moths and other night flying insects.
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Reproduction: Mating probably occurs in autumn and winter. One young
is born in late May or early June in the northern part of their range and
about mid- May in the South. The young shed their milk teeth in mid-July
and reach adult size by August or early September.
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Status of
Populations: Uncommon over most of its range.
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