Photo Credit: J Scott Altenbach
Cave Myotis
Myotis velifer
Call characteristics:
High frequency caller (~40 kHz range)
Body Length
2.25 in
(5.6 cm)
Weight
1/4 - 1/2 oz
(7 - 14 g)
The cave Myotis varies in appearance depending on region, with individuals in the eastern portion of the range having paler brown fur and individuals in the west appearing darker brown. The face, ears, and wing membranes are a dark, dusky color. Prey includes moths, beetles, weevils, and other insects. The cave Myotis prefers forested habitat across a range of elevations. This species roosts in caves, tunnels, buildings, and abandoned mines. Some cave Myotis have been observed migrating south for winter, while others hibernate near their summer habitat. Disturbance and encroaching vegetation that impedes access to cave roosts pose a threat to this species.
Conservation Status
Range
There are various sources for bat species range maps including IUCN, NatureServe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ECOS, and the National Atlas of the United States (left).
Photo Credit: Mylea Bayless
Status
&
Trends
NABat utilizes monitoring data provided by a broad network of partners to support regional and range-wide inferences about changes in the distributions and abundances of bat populations facing current and emerging threats.
Information used to populate this page was obtained from the following sources:
United States Fish and Wildlife Service Environmental Conservation Online System
Bat Conservation International Bat Profiles
National Atlas of the United States. (2011). North American Bat Ranges, 1830-2008. National Atlas of the United States. Available at: http://purl.stanford.edu/pz329xp4277.
Taylor, M. 2019. Bats: an illustrated guide to all species. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Books.