Long-eared Myotis {Myotis evotis) 



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

 (17-25 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. 



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 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 1967), and specimens have been obtained in Flathead 

 County around Kalispell (Hoffmann et al. 1969). Roemer (1994) found lactating females 

 on the Rexford District on 29 July and on the Libby District on 25 August. During 1994. 

 this species was detected at 1 6 sites in August and September on the Kootenai National 

 Forest (Appendix 3). This species is often encountered at late dusk hunting among trees 

 and over water. 



Status: Considered uncommon but widespread in western Montana (Hoffmann and Pattie 1968, 

 Hoffmann 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. this species was recorded from the Cabinet, Fisher River, Libby, 

 Rexford. and Three Rivers Districts (Appendix 4). Present in the Idaho panhandle 

 (Groves and Marks 1985). The Long-eared Myotis is a U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

 candidate (C2) species for federal listing. 



Natural Heritage Program rank: G5; S4. 



