Tri-coloured bat

Credit: Barbara Muenchau

Latin name: Perimyotis subflavus

Average size: Total length of 7-10 cm

Wingspan: 20-26 cm

Weight: 5-7 g

External characteristics: The coat colour is a distinguishing characteristic of this species. Individual hairs are tri-coloured: grey at the bottom, yellow in the centre, and dark brown at the tip. The back and underside are the same colour. This species has black wings and a face that appears to be hairless. They have large ears with a short, straight tragus. Females are larger than males.

Habitat: The tri-coloured bat inhabits eastern North America. It can be found near the edges of forests or flying near sources of water. During the summer, it roosts in rock crevices, caves, buildings, and tree foliage. Beginning in October, this species hibernates in caves or abandoned mines, either alone or in small groups.

Reproduction: Mating occurs in the fall prior to hibernation. The tri-coloured bat typically gives birth to a litter of two pups. The young are born between the end of May and beginning of July after a gestation period of approximately 44 days. At birth, the pups weigh about a fifth of their mother's weight. They grow quickly and are able to fly after only 2-3 weeks.

Federal status: Endangered

Seen in: New-Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec