Little Brown Bat Habitat
Little brown bats are indigenous to most of Canada and the continental U.S., except Florida, California and Texas. As their name suggests, they're small, with a body weight of up to a half ounce. Their bodies measure 2 1/2 to 4 inches long, and their wingspan reaches 9 to 11 inches. They can live up to 30 years.
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Summer Nursery Roosts
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During the summer, little brown bats roost in separate male and female colonies. The females form maternity or nursery colonies, where they raise their pups. They prefer old buildings, barns and attics, clustering together in the hottest areas near the roofs. The natural temperature and warmth from the colony of adult bats enable pups to grow quickly.
Summer Roosts for Males
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Male little brown bats may also roost in old buildings during the summer, but they don't have the same need for heat. While they also remain in colonies, the numbers are usually smaller, and males may roost in trees as well as indoors.
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Winter Roosts
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Little brown bats hibernate in large groups during the winter months. They prefer mines and caves with extremely high humidity--90 percent or more--to offset the moisture they lose while hibernating. They also seek out environments with a temperature of around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, this temperature and humidity combination also is prime breeding ground for the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome, which is fatal for little brown bats.
Daytime Roosts
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During the seasons that they're active--spring, summer and fall--little brown bats also roost during the day in trees, woodpiles and even under rocks. They choose dark areas with ample shelter.
Feeding Habitat
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Little brown bats usually feed over standing water, such as marshes and swamps, where insects congregate. However, they can also live in desert climates with little water, as long as insects are abundant.
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References
- Photo Credit Bat Close Up image by kdhouston from Fotolia.com
