Species Identification Information

Species Identifier Chart

Little Brown Bat Myotis lucifugus

Big Brown Bat Eptesicus fuscus

Eastern Pipistrelle Pipistrellus subflavus

Small-footed Myotis Myotis leibii

Indiana Myotis Myotis sodalis

Northern Long-Eared Bat Myotis septentrionalis

Silver-Haired Bat Lasionycteris noctivigans

Red Bat Lasiurus borealis

Hoary Bat Lasiurus cinereus

Eastern Pipistrelle Pipistrellus subflavus             Back to Top of Page

The Pipistrelle bat is a small bat with distinctive tri-colored hairs (dark at the base and tip and light yellow-brown in the middle). Found throughout eastern North and Central America and the Midwestern United States, the Pipistrelle is generally solitary or forming small groups of up to 30 females during the summer, with up to several 1000 individuals during hibernation in caves and mines. Pipistrelles often hibernate with other species but appear to hibernate longer than most other species, from late July-August through late April. During the summer, Pipistrelles often hang in full daylight and begin foraging earlier than most species in the evening. They forage over waterways, open pasture and at the forest edges but seldom in deep woods. Pipistrelles are slow, erratic flyers that eat insects ranging in size from 4 to 10 mm, including beetles, chironomids and small moths. In early June, females give birth to two pups.

Detailed Description

small body size (forearm length ranges from 31 - 35 mm) with light tan or orange coloration

forearm tends to be non-pigmented.

The anterior third of the interfemoral membrane is furred and the calcar lacks a heel.

Indiana Myotis Myotis sodalis             Back to Top of Page

The Indiana bat is a medium-sized bat with dull gray/black pelage and a pale gray-brown nose. It is found in the eastern United States from Vermont to Florida. In some parts of its range, the Indiana bat forms large hibernating groups of 100,000 or more with summer colonies being much smaller and more widespread. They often migrate large distances (up to 500 km) from their summer colonies to hibernation caves each autumn, foraging nightly in early September and October to replenish fat reserves consumed during migration. During summer, Indiana bats use natural roosts (typically beneath the bark of trees or in tree hollows) or even under bridges. Females give birth to single pups in late June. Indiana bats forage near rivers but feed more often among trees rather than over water, flying slow and erratic beneath the forest canopy. The primary prey of the Indiana bat are moths, but they also consume several types of flies and beetles. The Indiana bat is a federally endangered species whose existence has not been confirmed in several New England states.

Detailed Description

The total forearm lengths ranging from 35-41 mm.

The ears are 15 mm long with a blunt and short tragus.

The calcar has a slight keel, the feet are 9 mm long and the toes lack hair.

Similar to M. lucifugus with a pale nose

Northern Long-Eared Bat Myotis septentrionalis             Back to Top of Page

The Northern long-eared bat is a small bat with dull gray/brown pelage and long ears (13 mm). They inhabit eastern and northern North America, extending from eastern Canada to the Florida panhandle. The species is never abundant anywhere within its’ range. They roost in small groups (less than 100), but are also commonly found as solitary individuals, utilizing both natural and man-made roost structures but preferring tight crevices and holes. Females generally give birth to single pups in June or July, although occasionally twins are born. It is thought to forage along forest edges, clearings and sometimes over ponds.

Detailed Description

The total forearm lengths ranging from 32-39 mm.

The ears are 13 mm long and wide with a narrow and pointed tragus.

The calcar lacks a keel.

Little Brown Bat Myotis lucifugus             Back to Top of Page

The Little Brown bat is a medium-sized bat with glossy fur that varies from dark sooty brown to pale golden brown, with light ventral pelage. It is one of the most abundant bats in North America, distributed throughout the entire continent; as far north as central Alaska and south down to the Valley of Mexico. It is the most common ‘house bats’, roosting in a variety of sites including attics, barns, sheds, and window shutters. They also summer in natural structures such as trees, rocks, and occasionally caves. Little Brown Bats eat aquatic insects, particularly chironomids and Trichopterans, but also eat moths, wasps, gnats and beetles. They typically forage at a height of about 3-6 meters above the ground, foraging along vegetation borders and above water. Females give birth to single pups in late June or early July. In September, Little Brown bats leave their summer roosts to hibernate in caves that are often 100 miles or more from their nursery colonies.

Detailed Description

The total forearm length varies from 33-41 mm.

Large feet (>10 mm) with hairs that extend beyond the claws.

The ears are smaller and the tragus is more blunt than in Northern Long-Eared bats.

The calcar lacks a keel, which distinguishes it from the Indiana bat.

Silver-Haired Bat Lasionycteris noctivigans             Back to Top of Page

The Silver-Haired Bat is a medium sized bat whose white-tipped hairs create a frosted appearance. The wings, ears and interfemoral membrane are black. The bat is found in most parts of the United States, as well as southern Canada and northern Mexico. The Silver-Haired bat is one of three New England bat species that is migratory, moving north in the spring and returning south in the fall. Not a lot is known about this species because they are not very abundant, but it is generally believed that they roost in hollow trees in coniferous or mixed deciduous forests in family groups consisting of a female and her two pups. They are opportunistic insectivores, eating from a wide variety of insect families. It is generally slow and erratic flyer and forages at low altitudes near ponds and streams

Detailed Description

The total forearm length varies from 37 - 44 mm.

The tragus is broad and blunt.

Big Brown Bat Eptesicus fuscus             Back to Top of Page

The Big Brown bat is a large, heavy-bodied bat with relatively large eyes, a wide nose and small, black ears. The pelage is long, soft and somewhat oily with the color ranging from pale tan to a rich dark brown; they are usually darker dorsally than ventrally. The Big Brown is one of the most common bats in North America, ranging from Alaska and Canada through most of Central America and even into South America. It is one of the most common ‘house bats’, commonly found roosting in attics and barns, but also using hollow trees, rock crevices and other natural roosts when man-made buildings are unavailable. They generally roost in small groups in New England (less than 50 females) but can reach colony sizes of up to 700 individuals. They are very strong fliers and can forage in a variety of habitats including forested areas, fields and over streams, often traveling the same course each evening. Big Brown bats eat a large variety of medium-sized insects, but are especially partial to beetles. Big Brown bats often use hibernacula that are close to their summer colonies, sometimes using the same site for both maternity roost and hibernaculum. Big Brown bats in New England typically have twin pups that are born in late June.

Detailed Description

The total forearm length varies from 39-54 mm.

The ears are 10-20 mm in length and the tragus is broad and rounded.

The wings are short and broad and dark brown to blackish in color.

The calcar is keeled.

Small-footed Myotis Myotis leibii             Back to Top of Page

The Small-Footed bat is a small bat with thick glossy pelage that is dark brown in color with golden highlights due to longer hairs that are lighter colored at the tip. Both the ears and wings of the bat are blackish in color. The Small-Footed bat is most commonly found in deciduous forests of the northeastern United States and Canada. It is a relatively rare bat and is not believed to be abundant in any part of this range. The Small-Footed bat is generally found roosting in buildings and beneath rock slabs. It is a slow and erratic flyer, but little is known about its feeding habits. The Small-Footed bat can be distinguished from the Little Brown bat by features of the ear; in the Small-Footed bat, the tip of the ear extends beyond the nose when it is laid forward, and the tragus is slender and pointed.

Detailed Description

The total forearm length varies from 30 - 34 mm.

The ears are 11-14 mm in length and the tragus is slender and pointed.

The calcar is keeled and the feet are small (6-8.5 mm).

Hoary Bat Lasiurus cinereus             Back to Top of Page

The Hoary bat is a large bat with very distinctive grayish-mahogany fur on the body and yellowish patches on the face and throat. The Hoary bat has the widest range of all American bats, although it is relatively rare in New England. The Hoary bat roosts primarily in trees during the day, but have also been reported to use buildings and squirrel nests. They roost alone or in small groups of two to seven bats. They tend to emerge later in the evening than most other bat species, becoming most active about four hours after sunset. The Hoary bat is a swift and powerful flyer that eats predominantly moths but also will eat beetles, flies, dragonflies, and wasps. Hoary bats are also one of the migratory species of bats, traveling south in the autumn and returning to the northeast during the spring to reproduce. The Hoary bat has one to four offspring each summer, the highest litter size of any New England bat.

Detailed Description

The total forearm length varies from 46 - 58 mm.

The calcar is keeled and the tail extends beyond the tail membrane

Red Bat Lasiurus borealis             Back to Top of Page

The Red bat is a medium-sized bat with reddish fur and hairs that are dark at the base and red at the ends. The females’ fur is white-tipped, giving them a yellowish or frosted appearance whereas the males’ is brick red in color. The Red bat is a forest-dwelling species that roosts exclusively in and among leaf clusters. They roost alone or in small groups, emerging early in the evening near dusk and foraging at treetop level or higher in forest edges and clearings. They eat a large variety of insects, following the same flight pattern each night. Red bats are one of the migratory species that migrate south each autumn and return to New England each spring to reproduce. The females have one to four offspring each summer.

Detailed Description

The total forearm length varies from 35 - 45 mm.

The ears are short and rounded with a triangular tragus.

Identifier Chart             Back to Top of Page