Canada's hoary bat is among the
largest of North American bat species, measuring 130-140 mm (almost six
inches) in lenght and possessing a wing-spread of almost 384-415 mm (about
17 inches). The bat's fur is a dark mahogany brown with silver frosting
over the back.
The hoary bat is a solitary tree-dwelling species that roosts by day
and hunts by night. These flying mammals have poor vision, and have
adapted by using echolocation or biosonar to locate their prey. The bat
emits a sound and listens for a «bounce back» which indicates an
object ahead. Their flight is strong and swift at a moderately hight
altitude- some seven to fifteen metres above ground!
Fall migration occurs from late August to early October. Migration is
mostly at night at a speed of about 20 kilometres per hour. After a winter
in Mexico's forested areas, spring migration begins in May or June, with
the females migrating earlier than the males.
Mating appears to take place in the fall, and may continue on the
wintering grounds and during migration. Gestation begins when the females
return to the summer range. The young- usually two- are born in June
and July.
Wytheville Community College
Sevilleta LTER
University of Michigan
Mammals of Texas
Mammals of Kansas
Idaho's Bats
Organization for Bat Conservation (The)
National Wildlife Federation
Bat Conservation International
Bat Calls
Buzbee Bat House Temperature Plot (The)
Société de la faune et des parcs du Québec
