Species Potentially Present on the Kootenai National Forest 

 Fringed Myotis (Myotis thysanodes) 



Description: A medium-sized (5-8 g) large-eared myotis. Dorsal pelage varies from medium 



brown to pale buff, the individual hairs being grayish-black basally. Ears and membranes 

 are blackish brown and often contrast with the pelage color; ears (17-21 mm) extend 3-5 

 mm beyond nostrils when pressed forward. Calcar lacks a distinct keel. A fringe of 

 conspicuous pale, straw-colored hairs extends posteriorly 1 -2 mm beyond the edge of the 

 uropatagium. 



Distribution: From southern British Columbia south to southern Mexico and east to western 

 North and South Dakota. 



Habitat and Habits: This bat seems to prefer montane and upland forests, but also appears in 

 desert scrub and some non-wooded areas. Commonly roosts in buildings, but also uses 

 caves and abandoned mines. Hibemacula include old mines and caves. Females form 

 maternity colonies of up to several hundred individuals in summer. These bats are often 

 observed at dusk foraging along water courses and over standing water. 



Status: Rare in western Montana in summer (Hoffmann and Pattie 1968); specimens exist for 

 Ravalli, Missoula, and Lewis and Clark Counties (Hoffmann et al. 1969). The Fringed 

 Myotis is a U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service candidate (C2) species for federal listing. 



Natural Heritage Program rank: G5; S3. 



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