| California myotis | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Myotis |
| Species: | M. californicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Myotis californicus | |
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The California myotis (Myotis californicus) is a species of vesper bat. It is found in British Columbia in Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, and in the western United States, including California. [1]
The California myotis is a small (70–94 millimetres [2.8–3.7 in] and 3.3–5.4 grams [0.12–0.19 oz]) bat with pale, dull fur. Ears are of medium (12–15 millimetres [0.47–0.59 in]) size, with a narrow, pointed tragus (ear). They have an obviously keeled calcar and very small feet (5–7 millimetres [0.20–0.28 in]), smaller even than the feet of the western small-footed myotis, for which they are easily confused. [2] The spread of the wings averages 220 millimetres (8.7 in). [3] Other distinguishing features include the slightly lighter face mask and shorter appearance of the California myotis' tail. While their tails are the same length, the small-footed myotis' tail extends 2–3 millimetres (0.079–0.118 in) after the connecting membrane (Uropatagia) which makes it appear longer. [2]
The California myotis is largely free of ectoparasites commonly found on other bat species, such as fleas, ticks, flies, lice, and bed bugs. However, mites have occasionally been found on the dorsal wings of the California myotis. [4]
The dental formula for M. californicus is 2.1.3.33.1.3.3 × 2 = 38 [5]
Within California, the California myotis inhabits a variety of geographical areas, ranging from coastal environments to the desert. These bats are frequently observed around water sources in the desert, which are frequently close to rocky canyons or sandy flats. In coastal regions, the California myotis favors riparian groves with sycamore, willow, and cottonwood trees. They can also be discovered in open forests and oak groves. [4]
During the day, the California myotis will roost in the bark of dead trees, [6] particularly ponderosa pines, [6] [7] rock crevices, or buildings. The California myotis prefers forested areas and is seldom found in urban environments or open rural spaces. [8] However, they will occasionally roost in man-made structures like abandoned wooden houses, sign boards, and mine tunnels. [4] Both male and female myotis tend to move around without a fixed preference for a specific or frequently used hiding place, instead choosing the most accessible hiding spot once they have finished foraging. [4]
The California myotis tend to emerge just after dusk and just before dawn to forage. [9] Foraging is done close to the foliage of trees and larger shrubs, usually within a few feet of the ground. [10] Diet includes moths, flies, and other flying insects. [9] Their flight is slow and highly maneuverable, which assists in prey capture. [11] The California myotis tend to emerge just after dusk and just before dawn to forage. Foraging is done close to the foliage of trees and larger shrubs, usually within 10 feet of the ground. Diet includes moths, flies, and other flying insects. Their flight is slow and highly maneuverable, which assists in prey capture. The California myotis begins foraging right after sunset, feeding rapidly before finding a roosting site near their foraging grounds to rest for a period of time; [4] this behavior is repeated until daybreak.
The California myotis seeks out water multiple times throughout the night, with certain watering holes being favored. In order to drink water, these bats will glide over the surface of the pond with their heads bent forward and jaw open, allowing them to scoop up water with their mouth. [4]
California myotis mate in the fall and give birth during the late spring (May - early June). For the remainder of the year, the adults of the two sexes prefer to remain separate, occasionally roosting together during the months of September, October, February, and March. [4] Females give birth to one pup per year and can live for about 15 years in the wild. During the birthing season they form small maternity colonies of about 20 individuals, usually in the loose bark of trees or rock crevices. Males and non-reproductive females roost in small groups or alone. [12] During the winter they may hibernate in mines or rock caves, or they may remain active all winter.
The greater bulldog bat or fisherman bat is a species of fishing bat native to Latin America. The bat uses echolocation to detect water ripples made by the fish upon which it preys, then uses the pouch between its legs to scoop the fish up and its sharp claws to catch and cling to it. It is not to be confused with the lesser bulldog bat, which, though belonging to the same genus, merely catches water insects, such as water striders and water beetles.
Natterer's bat is a European vespertilionid bat with pale wings. It has brown fur tending to greyish-white on its underside. It is found across most of the continent of Europe, parts of the Near East and North Africa. It feeds on insects and other invertebrates which it catches on the wing or pursues on the ground.
The Indiana bat is a medium-sized mouse-eared bat native to North America. It lives primarily in Southern and Midwestern U.S. states and is listed as an endangered species. The Indiana bat is grey, black, or chestnut in color and is 1.2–2.0 in long and weighs 4.5–9.5 g (0.16–0.34 oz). It is similar in appearance to the more common little brown bat, but is distinguished by its feet size, toe hair length, pink lips, and a keel on the calcar.
The silver-tipped myotis is a species of mouse-eared bat found in a range of lowland habitats in the Americas.
The southeastern myotis is a small bat found throughout the Gulf Coastal Plain and the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Plain of the southeastern United States.
The evening bat is a species of bat in the vesper bat family that is native to North America. Hunting at night, they eat beetles, moths, and other flying insects.
The large slit-faced bat is a species of slit-faced bat with a broad distribution in forest and savanna habitats in West, Central, and East Africa. N. marica, is the available name for the southern savanna species if it is recognized as distinct from this species.
The greater mouse-eared bat is a European species of bat in the family Vespertilionidae.
The Seminole bat is a species of bat in the family Vespertilionidae.
The western small-footed bat, also known as the western small-footed myotis, is a species of vesper bat native to North America.
The long-eared myotis is a species of vesper bat in the suborder Microchiroptera. It can be found in western Canada, the western United States, and Baja California in Mexico.
The eastern small-footed bat is a species of vesper bat. It can be found in southern Ontario and Quebec in Canada and in mountainous portions of the eastern United States from New England to northern Georgia, and westward to northern Arkansas. It is among the smallest bats in eastern North America and is known for its small feet and black face-mask. Until recently, all North American small-footed Myotis were considered to be "Myotis leibii". The western population is now considered to be a separate species, Myotis ciliolabrum. The Eastern small-footed bat is rare throughout its range, although the species may be locally abundant where suitable habitat exists. Studies suggest white-nose syndrome has caused declines in their populations. However, most occurrences of this species have only been counted within the past decade or two and are not revisited regularly, making their population status difficult to assess. Additionally, most bat populations in the Eastern U.S. have been monitored using surveys conducted in caves and mines in the winter, but Eastern small-footed bats hibernate in places that make them unlikely to be encountered during these surveys. Perhaps as a result, the numbers of Eastern small-footed bats counted in winter tend to be low and they are relatively variable compared to other species of bats. Many biologists believe the species is stable, having declined little in recent times, but that it is vulnerable due to its relatively restricted geographic range and habitat needs.
The fringed myotis is a species of vesper bat that is found in British Columbia, Mexico, and the western United States.
The long-legged myotis is a species of vesper bat that can be found in western Canada, Mexico, and the western United States.
The Yuma myotis is a species of vesper bat native to western North America.
The California leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is found in Mexico and the United States. Its natural habitat is hot deserts.
The little brown bat or little brown myotis is an endangered species of mouse-eared microbat found in North America. It has a small body size and glossy brown fur. It is similar in appearance to several other mouse-eared bats, including the Indiana bat, northern long-eared bat, and Arizona myotis, to which it is closely related. Despite its name, the little brown bat is not closely related to the big brown bat, which belongs to a different genus.
Bats are flying mammals of the order Chiroptera. With their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Bats are more agile in flight than most birds, flying with their very long spread-out digits covered with a thin membrane or patagium. The smallest bat, and arguably the smallest extant mammal, is Kitti's hog-nosed bat, which is 29–34 millimetres in length, 150 mm (6 in) across the wings and 2–2.6 g in mass. The largest bats are the flying foxes, with the giant golden-crowned flying fox reaching a weight of 1.6 kg and having a wingspan of 1.7 m.
Myotis septentrionalis, known as the northern long-eared bat or northern myotis, is a species of bat native to North America. There are no recognized subspecies. The northern long-eared bat is about 3–3.7 inches in length, with a wingspan of 9–10 inches. It is distinguishable by its long ears when comparing it to other bats in its genus. This species is commonly found in the northern United States and Southern Canada east of British Columbia. The geographic range includes 37 states.
The long-fingered bat is a carnivorous species of vesper bat. It is native to coastal areas around the Mediterranean Sea, as well as a few patches of land in western Iran. Due to the fact that its population is in decline, it has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1988.
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