Northern long-eared myotis

Credit: Phil Myers

Latin name: Myotis septentrionalis

Average size: Total length of 7-9 cm

Wingspan: 21-26 cm

Weight: 6-9 g

External characteristics: The northern long-eared myotis is similar to the little brown myotis. The fur on the back and ears of the northern long-eared bat is dark brown, while its underside is a paler yellow-brown colour. This bat has very long ears with a thin tragus that is pointy at the tip which distinguishes it from the little brown bat, who has a tragus that is short and rounded. The wings and tail of this species are larger than those of the majority of the members of the genus Myotis.

Habitat: In Canada, this species prefers to live in boreal forests and tends to be solitary. It roosts in buildings, under loose bark, and in tree cavities. Between the end of August and the end of May, small groups of this species hibernate in caves, rock crevasses or occasionally underneath the bark of trees. Individuals choose hibernation sites where the temperature is cooler than the sites chosen by the tri-coloured bat and the little brown myotis.

Reproduction: Mating occurs in the fall before bats enter hibernation. Sperm is stored in the body of females throughout the winter and fertilization occurs in the spring. The gestation period lasts between 50 and 60 days. The northern long-eared bat has only one pup each year. They are born in either June or July.

Federal status: Endangered

Seen in: Alberta, British-Columbia, Manitoba, New-Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova-Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon