About Myotis septentrionalis (Trouessart, 1897)
Common and Scientific Name
The northern long-eared bat, Myotis septentrionalis, is a small bat with an average total length of 8.6 cm (3.4 in), including a tail around 4 cm (1.6 in) long.
Body Weight
Adult individuals weigh between 5 and 8 g (0.18 and 0.28 oz).
Fur and Wing Color
Both their fur and wing membranes are light brown in color.
Distinguishing Markings
This species lacks the dark shoulder spots seen in the closely related, otherwise similar Keen's myotis (Myotis keenii).
Ear and Tragus Features
Compared to other Myotis species, northern long-eared bats have long ears with a relatively long, pointed tragus; when folded forward, the ears extend well past the nose.
Tail and Wing Morphology
They also have a longer tail and larger wing area than most similarly sized Myotis bats, which gives them increased maneuverability during slow flight.
Overall Range
Northern long-eared bats range across most of the eastern half of the United States and Canada.
Range Extremes
Their distribution extends north to Manitoba and Newfoundland, and south to North Carolina and Alabama.
Western Distribution
They also occur rarely in western parts of Canada, sometimes reaching as far west as the western borders of British Columbia and Yukon.
Summer Habitat and Roosting
They live primarily in forested habitats, especially boreal forests, as they typically roost in hardwood trees during the summer.
