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northern long-eared bat
northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis)
Illinois Status: state and federally threatened, native
Photo © Michael Durham
Features and Behaviors
FEATURES
The northern long-eared bat is a small- to medium-sized bat with a small forearm. Its brown fur is black at the base. The northern bat has a lengthy, pointed tragus in its long ear. Each wing is attached to the side of the foot.
BEHAVIORS
The northern long-eared bat may be found statewide in Illinois. It hibernates in caves, mines and buildings. The largest concentration of wintering northern bats in Illinois is in La Salle County, but other hibernacula are located throughout the state. The bats tend to hang singly or in very small groups. Summer roosting locations include caves, mines, buildings and under tree bark. The northern long-eared bat eats insects. Mating occurs in fall and spring. Those females mating in the fall store the sperm in the uterus until spring, when it is used to fertilize the eggs. Females form small maternity colonies after leaving the winter hibernating site. Young are born in June and July. This bat has been known to live for more than 18 years.
Illinois Range
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Habitats
Aquatic
bottomland forests; lakes, ponds and reservoirs; marshes; peatlands; rivers and streams; swamps; wet prairies and fens
Woodland
bottomland forests; coniferous forests; southern Illinois lowlands; upland deciduous forests
Prairie and Edge
edge
