VIRGINIA BIG-EARED BAT Plecotus townsendii virginianus (Handley) 



Order: CHIROPTERA Family: VESPERTILIONIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : A bat with enormous (1-1/2 inch) ears and lumps on 

 the snout. Closely resembles the more common eastern big-eared bat (£. rafinesquii ) , 

 but with fur less grayish, and with tan beneath rather than white; upper incisors 

 unicuspid rather than bifid and toes lacking the long hairs seen on the eastern species . 

 This race differs from P. _t. ingens in being smaller, and more grayish in coloration, 

 and in a number of cranial details . 



Present distribution : In the caves of Pendleton County, West Virginia, with a few 

 colonies in neighboring counties. Also a colony in Tazewell County, Virginia, and 

 one in Lee County, Kentucky. 



Former distribution : Probably the same in recent times . Many of the caves within the 

 major range have been abandoned. 



Status : Numbers apparently stable. 



Estimated numbers : About 5,000. 



Breeding rate in the wild : A single young per season in June . 



Reasons for decline : This race is a relict of a western species and has probably had 

 a natural decrease in range during past geologic epochs . The species is very 

 intolerant to human disturbance. 



Protective measures already taken : None. The Forest Service, U .S . Department of 

 Agriculture, is negotiating to obtain the private inholding housing the colony in 

 Kentucky . 



Measures proposed : Acquire some of the few remaining nursey caves and minimize 

 human disturbance. None is now protected. 



Numbers in captivity : None . All attempts to keep this species in captivity have 

 been discouraging. 



Breeding potential in captivity : Poor . 



References : 



Barbour, R. W. , and W. H. Davis. 1969. Bats of America. Univ. Press of 



Kentucky, Lexington. 

 Conrad, Lyle G. 1961. Distribution and speciation problems concerning the 

 long-eared bat, Plecotus townsendii virginianus . D.C. Speleograph 



17:49-52. 

 Graham, Richard E. 1966. Observations on the roosting habits of the big-eared 



bat Plecotus townsendii, in California limestone caves. Cave Notes 8(3): 17-22. 



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