Corynorhinus townsendii
Range
Townsend’s big-eared bat is found western North American from southern Canada south through Mexico. A subspecies of this bat has been found in the southeastern U.S.Habitat
Townsend’s big-eared bat lives in the drier conifer-aspen forests of the west. The eastern subspecies lives in oak-hickory forests. They roost in caves, old mines, old buildings and under cliffs. They prefer to roost in open spaces, not in small crevices.Body Traits
This small brownish-gray bat weighs less than half an ounce with a wingspan than can reach a foot across. It has large, pointed ears that it rolls back across its head while sleeping. Each ear has a long piece that juts up in front, called a “tragus,” that helps with echolocation. It’s nose is short and blunt with long, vertical nostrils. A flap of skin stretched between their legs and tail and is called the “uropatagium.”Habits
They are nocturnal, coming out late at night to feed. They are strong flyers with an ability to hover in one place or swoop after flying insects. They hibernate through the cold seasons in groups in caves or mines. They find their way in the dark using echolocation, their large ears being a great advantage to hearing the sales sounds.Diet
They eat mostly moths, but may also other small insects.Predators
Owls may prey on these bats. In their roost they may be vulnerable to raccoons, snakes, rats and even housecoats, if they are roosting in abandoned buildings.Reproduction
Females are pregnant from 8-14 weeks and have one “pup” in the spring. They raise their young in a nursery colony with other females all summer nursing them for about 6 weeks. Babies cling to their mothers with clawed feet. When she goes out to feed at night, the babies cling together in the roost.Lifespan and/or Conservation Status
If they survive to adulthood, Townsend’s big-eared bats can live to 20 years in the wild. Conservation Status: They are on the IUCN list as least concern.
Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Chiroptera
- Family: Vespertilionidae
- Genus: Corynorhinus
- Species: C. townsendii