I. 



m 



Long-eared Myotis (Myotis evotis) 



Description: The ears of this bat are heavily pigmented (black and opaque) and are the longest 

 (1 7-25 mm) of any American myotis; when pressed forward, ears extend >5 mm beyond 

 the nose. Fur is long and glossy above, paler below. Posterior border of the uropatagium 

 lacks a conspicuous fringe of hair. Weighs 6-8 g. 

 Distribution: Ranges over much of the western North America from southern Canada south to 

 New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California. 

 I Habitat and Habits: This species is especially common around rocky habitat in coniferous forest. 



' Uses sheds, cabins, caves, and abandoned mines for roosting sites; hibemacula are poorly 



J known, but abandoned coal mines have been used in northeastern Montana (Swenson and 



Shanks 1979); the are no overwinter records from British Columbia (Nagorsen et al. 

 1993). Females apparently form small maternity colonies, though this is poorly 

 (documented. Pregnant females have been found in late June and early July in British 

 Columbia (van Zyll de Jong 1985). A colony was found in an abandoned house in 

 Glacier National Park (Lechleitner 1 967), and specimens have been obtained in Flathead 



i County around Kalispell (Hoffinarm et al. 1969); one male was collected on 8 September 



1995 in Lincoln County. Roemer (1994) foimd lactating females on the Rexford District 

 on 29 July and on the Libby District on 25 August; a lactating female was captured on 21 



I August 1995 on the Rexford District. In 1994-1995 this species was detected at 28 sites 



in Augxist and September on the Kootenai National Forest (Appendix 3). This species is 

 often encountered at late dusk himting among trees and over water. 



Status: Considered uncommon but wddespread in western Montana (HofSnann and Pattie 1968, 

 Hoffinann et al. 1 969). Thirteen of 1 1 3 bats captured by Roemer (1 994) on the 

 Kootenai National Forest were this species; it has been recorded from all Forest Districts 

 (Appendix 4). In 1994-1995, this species was recorded from all Districts (Appendix 4). 

 Present in the Idaho panhandle (Groves and Marks 1985). The long-eared myotis is not 

 listed by any federal agency. 



Natural Heritage Program rank: G5; S4. 



17 



