Western small-footed bat

Latin name: Myotis ciliolabrum

Average size: Total length of 7-9 cm

Wingspan: 20-25 cm

Weight: 3-7 g

External characteristics: The western small-footed myotis is a small bat. Its fur is a yellowish-brown colour with a paler underside. As its common name indicates, its feet are unusually small, being about half the length of the tibia. The ears are relatively long and the tragus is long and narrow. Its face and ears as well as its wing and tail membranes are black, which creates a contrast with its pale underside fur. This last characteristic allows it to be distinguished from the closely related California myotis. Females are larger than males.

Habitat: This species is found throughout most of western North America. The western small-footed bat is a robust species that can live in a wide range of ecological condtions. It usually lives near cliffs and rock outcrops in arid valleys and badlands. During the summer, it roosts in rock crevices, caves, tunnels, under rocks, or in buildings, alone or in small groups. In the winter, it hibernates in caves and mines.

Reproduction: Like many other species, the western small-footed bat mates in the fall, and sperm is stored until spring when fertilization occurs. Generally, females give birth to a single pup in June or July. Newborns weigh around 1 gram.

Seen in: Alberta, British-Columbia, Saskatchewan