Bats are fascinating creatures that have been around for millions of years. They are the only mammals capable of sustained flight and are found all over the world, including Canada.
In this article, we will explore the top 10 largest bats in Canada, ranked by wingspan. We will also discuss where you might encounter them and some interesting facts about bats.
You are reading: The Top 10 Largest Bats in Canada
Top 10 Largest Bats in Canada
Hoary bat
The hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) is the largest bat in Canada, with a wingspan of 13 to 16.5 inches. They are solitary mammals with a coat of grey fur with white-tipped hairs, giving them a “frosted” or “hoary” appearance.
Hoary bats inhabit all of Alberta, southern British Columbia, the southern half of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, most of Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, and the southern parts of Quebec. They roost in trees and hunt large insects such as wasps, dragonflies, beetles, and moths.
In Canada, hoary bats live in coniferous or deciduous forests, roosting near the tops of trees and hunting in clearings near sources of water.
Silver-haired bat
The silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) is a medium-sized bat that is predominantly black with white-tipped hairs, giving it an icy or frosted appearance. It is the only member of the genus Lasionycteris and is a solitary migratory species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae.
Silver-haired bats are among the most common bats in forested areas of America, most closely associated with coniferous, mixed coniferous, and deciduous forests. They are slow but maneuverable flyers that typically detect prey a short distance away and consume primarily soft-bodied insects such as moths, spiders, and harvestmen.
Silver-haired bats are also known to forage low over both still and running water and in forest openings. They are solitary animals that will seek shelter and sleep under loose bark, in dead trees or snags, inside hollow cavities of trees where heart.
In addition to the hoary bat and eastern red bat, the silver-haired bat is one of the three tree bat species most commonly killed at wind turbines.
Eastern red bat
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The eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis) is a species of microbat in the family Vespertilionidae. Here are some interesting facts about the eastern red bat:
– The eastern red bat has distinctive fur, with males being brick or rusty red, and females being a slightly more frosted shade of red. Both male and female eastern red bats have distinctive shoulder patches of white fur.
– Individual hairs on its back are approximately 5.8 mm (0.23 in), while hairs on its uropatagium are 2.6 mm (0.10 in) long. Fur on its ventral surface is usually lighter in color. Its entire body is densely furred, including its uropatagium.
– Eastern red bats are often attacked and killed by hawks and owls, or aggressive species like blue jays and crows; the former animal in particular serves as a major predator for bats hiding in leaf piles.
– Eastern red bats are also killed by flying into cars, tall human-made structures, or wind turbines.
– Allen Kurta argues that the lifespan for an eastern red bat is about two years, although they can probably live even longer.
– Eastern red bats are North America’s most abundant “tree bats.” They are found wherever there are trees east of the Rocky Mountains, from Canada to as far south as Chile and Argentina.
– One of Kentucky’s larger bats, this species can reach up to 5 inches in length with a wingspan of approximately 13 inches.
– Red bats are thought to be one of the most abundant bats throughout their range.
Big brown bat
The big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) is a species of vesper bat that is widely distributed throughout North America, the Caribbean, and the northern portion of South America. Here are some interesting facts about the big brown bat:
Physical Description
– The big brown bat is relatively large compared to other microbats, weighing 15–26 g (0.53–0.92 oz) and possessing a wingspan of 32.5–35 cm (12.8–13.8 in).
– They have russet to dark brown fur, which is oily and ranges from light to dark brown, contrasting with the black of their muzzle, ears, and wing membranes.
– Their ears are short and blunt, their snout and mouth are broad, and their tail membrane is not furred.
Habitat and Range
– The big brown bat is found in virtually every American habitat ranging from timberline meadows to lowland deserts, though it is most abundant in deciduous forest areas.
– They roost in sheltered places during the day, utilizing a wide variety of structures for roosts, including mines, caves, tunnels, buildings, bat boxes, tree cavities, storm drains, wood piles, and rock crevices.
– They are also found in cities, towns, and rural areas, but are least commonly found in heavily forested regions.
Behavior
– Big brown bats are nocturnal and are active year-round, although they may hibernate in colder regions.
– They are generalists in their foraging behavior and habitat selections, seemingly showing little preference for feeding over water vs. land, or in forests vs. clearings.
– Small beetles are their most frequent prey, yet big brown bats will consume prodigious quantities of a wide variety of night-flying insects.
– Like all insect-eating bats, big brown bats contribute mightily to a healthy environment and are vital players in pest control.
Overall, the big brown bat is an important species in North America, contributing to pest control and playing a vital role in the ecosystem.
Northern long-eared bat
The northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) is a medium-sized bat species that is found in 37 states and eight provinces in North America. Here are some interesting facts about the northern long-eared bat:
Physical Description
– The northern long-eared bat is a small bat, measuring an average of 8.6 cm (3.4 in) in total length, including a tail about 4 cm (1.6 in) long. Adults weigh between 5 and 8 g (0.18 and 0.28 oz).
– They are usually brown to light brown in color, and their ears are longer than other similar-sized bats.
– The fur and wing membranes are light brown in color, and the bat lacks the dark shoulder spots found in other Myotis species.
Habitat and Range
– Northern long-eared bats are primarily forest-dependent insectivores and utilize a diversity of forest habitats for roosting, foraging, and raising young.
– They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and riparian areas.
– The northern long-eared bat is found in 37 states and eight provinces in North America, including New York, where it is listed as endangered.
Behavior
– The northern long-eared bat is classified as a cave bat because it uses caves and mines for hibernation.
– They are nocturnal and feed on insects, including moths, beetles, and flies.
– Northern long-eared bats are threatened by white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease affecting cave-dwelling bats across the continent, and are listed as a federally threatened bat species.
Overall, the northern long-eared bat is an important species in North America, contributing to pest control and playing a vital role in the ecosystem. However, they are threatened by white-nose syndrome and are listed as a federally threatened bat species.
Little brown bat
The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) is a species of mouse-eared microbat found in North America. Here are some interesting facts about the little brown bat:
Physical Description
– The little brown bat is a small bat, weighing only 5-14 grams (0.18-0.49 oz) and measuring 6-10 cm (2.4-3.9 in) in length.
– They have glossy brown fur, which is darker on their back and lighter on their underside.
– Little brown bats have large ears and a wingspan of 22-27 cm (8.7-10.6 in).
Habitat and Range
– Little brown bats are found throughout North America, from Alaska to Newfoundland in Canada and from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast in the United States.
– They are abundant throughout forested areas of the United States as far north as Alaska.
– Little brown bats roost in a variety of structures, including caves, mines, buildings, and trees.
Behavior
– Little brown bats are nocturnal and feed on insects, including mosquitoes, moths, and beetles.
– They are known for their ability to consume large quantities of insects, with a single bat capable of eating up to 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour.
– Little brown bats hibernate during the winter months, often in large groups in caves or mines.
– Unfortunately, little brown bats are facing population declines due to white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has killed millions of bats in North America.
Overall, the little brown bat is an important species in North America, contributing to pest control and playing a vital role in the ecosystem. However, they are facing population declines due to white-nose syndrome and are listed as an endangered species in some areas.
Tri-colored bat
The tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) is a species of microbat native to eastern North America. Here are some interesting facts about the tricolored bat:
Physical Description
– The tricolored bat is one of the smallest bats native to North America, measuring only 2.8-3.2 inches (7-8 cm) in length.
– They have golden to reddish-brown fur, which is easily identified by its tri-colored appearance, with dark brown fur at the base, yellowish-brown fur in the middle, and pale gray fur at the tips.
– Tricolored bats have a wingspan of 9-10 inches (23-25 cm) and weigh only 4-8 grams (0.14-0.28 oz).
Habitat and Range
– Tricolored bats are found throughout eastern North America, from Canada to Florida and as far west as Texas.
– They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and riparian areas.
– Tricolored bats roost in a variety of structures, including trees, buildings, and bat boxes.
Behavior
– Tricolored bats are nocturnal and feed on insects, including moths, flies, and beetles.
– They are known for their ability to consume large quantities of insects, with a single bat capable of eating up to half its body weight in insects in a single night.
– Tricolored bats mate in the fall, with females storing sperm over the winter and fertilizing their eggs in the spring.
– Young are born helpless, though rapidly develop, flying and foraging for themselves by four weeks old.
– Tricolored bats have a relatively long lifespan, and can live nearly fifteen years.
Overall, the tricolored bat is an important species in eastern North America, contributing to pest control and playing a vital role in the ecosystem. However, they are facing population declines due to white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has killed millions of bats in North America.
Keen’s myotis
Keen’s myotis (Myotis keenii) is a species of vesper bat that is found in British Columbia in Canada and in Washington and Alaska in the United States. Here are some interesting facts about Keen’s myotis:
Physical Description
– Keen’s myotis is one of several species of long-eared bats in its genus and is relatively small, measuring only 3.5-4.5 inches (9-11 cm) in length.
– They have brown fur, with a lighter underside, and long ears that are nearly as long as their body.
– Keen’s myotis has a wingspan of approximately 9-10 inches (23-25 cm) and weighs only 4-7 grams (0.14-0.25 oz).
Habitat and Range
– Keen’s myotis is found in British Columbia in Canada and in Washington and Alaska in the United States.
– They are closely associated with low elevation, moist, mature coastal conifer forests during the active season and may move to hibernacula in mid-elevation caves for winter.
– Keen’s myotis prefers coastal habitats, but is often found in urban areas as well. It frequently roosts in trees and rock crevices.
Behavior
– Keen’s myotis is nocturnal and insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects including spiders, caddis flies, moths, and flies.
– They are adapted to eat a variety of insects and are able to glean prey as well as capture them in flight.
– Keen’s myotis is promiscuous, with males being solitary during the summer and pregnant females forming maternal colonies of several to 30.
Overall, Keen’s myotis is a relatively small bat species that is found in coastal areas of North America. They are insectivorous and play an important role in controlling insect populations.
Long-legged myotis
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The long-legged myotis (Myotis volans) is a species of vesper bat that can be found in western Canada, Mexico, and the western United States. Here are some interesting facts about the long-legged myotis:
Physical Description
– The long-legged myotis is the second largest myotis species found in the western United States, with a wingspan of 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) and an average body mass of 7.5 grams.
– They have light brown to chocolate brown or reddish-brown fur and short, rounded ears. When their ears are pushed toward their nose, the tips of their ears just reach their nostrils.
– The long-legged myotis is named for their longer tibia length compared to other myotis species.
Habitat and Range
– The long-legged myotis is found in western Canada, Mexico, and the western United States, including Alaska.
– They are found in a variety of habitats, including forested mountain regions, river bottoms, and high elevations.
– Long-legged myotis roost in trees, rock crevices, fissures in stream banks, abandoned buildings, cracks in the ground, cliff crevices, exfoliating tree bark, and hollows within snags as summer day roosts.
Behavior
– Long-legged myotis are insectivorous and their diet consists mainly of moths, although they will eat other insects such as flies and lacewings or some smaller sized beetles.
– They leave their day roosts to forage just before sunset, and peak foraging takes place in the first four hours after emergence.
– Long-legged myotis are locally common, but their trend is uncertain.
Overall, the long-legged myotis is an important bat species in western North America, contributing to pest control and playing a vital role in the ecosystem.
Yuma myotis
The Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis) is a species of vesper bat native to western North America. Here are some interesting facts about the Yuma myotis:
Physical Description
– Yuma myotis are small bats, measuring 3.3-4.3 inches (8.4-11 cm) in length and weighing only 4-7 grams (0.14-0.25 oz).
– They have short, tan or brown fur on their backs and whitish or buffy underparts.
– Yuma myotis have a wingspan of approximately 9 inches (23 cm).
Habitat and Range
– Yuma myotis are found throughout much of western North America, from British Columbia to Central Mexico and eastward to Colorado and Oklahoma.
– They are found in a variety of western lowland habitats, from arid thorn scrub to coniferous forest, but always close to standing water such as lakes and ponds.
– When not close to a body of water, the Yuma myotis can be found in the thousands roosting in caves, attics, buildings, mines, underneath bridges, and other similar structures.
Behavior
– Yuma myotis are nocturnal and forage for insects above the surface of slow-moving water or in vegetation close to the water’s edge.
– They are maneuverable fliers, with a wing aspect ratio of about 6.45, and can fly at up to 9 mph (14 km/h).
– Yuma myotis feed on beetles and soft-bodied insects, but are opportunistic hunters with no preference for particular prey.
– Yuma myotis have been known to carry diseases such as rabies, but they are generally not a threat to humans.
Overall, the Yuma myotis is an important bat species in western North America, contributing to pest control and playing a vital role in the ecosystem. They are small, agile fliers that are often found near water sources.
FAQS
1. What is the largest bat in Canada?
The hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) is the largest bat in Canada, with a wingspan of 13 to 16.5 inches.
2. What is the smallest bat in Canada?
The little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) is the most common and widely distributed of Canada’s bat species and is the smallest bat in Canada, with a wingspan of 22-27 cm.
3. Where can I find bats in Canada?
Bats can be found throughout Canada, but the specific species you might encounter will depend on your location. Some species, such as the hoary bat and the silver-haired bat, are found throughout much of Canada, while others, such as Keen’s myotis and the long-legged myotis, are found only in western Canada.
4. What do bats eat?
Bats are insectivores and feed on a variety of insects, including mosquitoes, moths, beetles, and flies.
5. Are bats dangerous?
Bats are generally not dangerous to humans, but they can carry diseases such as rabies. It is important to avoid handling bats and to seek medical attention if you are bitten or scratched by a bat.
6. How long do bats live?
The lifespan of bats varies by species, but some species can live up to 30 years.
7. Why are bats important?
Bats play an important role in the ecosystem by controlling insect populations. They are also important pollinators and seed dispersers for many plant species.
8. Are bats endangered?
Many bat species are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss, disease, and other factors. It is important to protect bat habitats and to support conservation efforts to help preserve these important animals.
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Category: Animals
