Canyon Bat 

(Parasrellus Hesperus)

PHOTOS BY MERLIN TUTTLE

Fun Fact

Fur can be yellowish to light grey or even auburn. Wings ears and tail are dark black sized ears.  The smallest of the bat species in the United States.  Also known as “Western pipistrelle”.
Primary Prey: Feeds mainly on small swarming insects.  Most common: mosquitoes, flying ants, fruit flies, leafhoppers, and ants. Caddis flies, stone flies, moths, small beetles, leaf and stilt bugs, and wasps.
Predators: Domestic cats, martens, fishers, mice, owls, hawks, snakes, raccoons, and other small carnivores. Other threats: Loss of riparian vegetation, loss of clean open water,  pesticide application, and urban expansion.
Range: Found across the western United States; found as far east as Texas, far north as British Columbia, and as far south as Mexico.   Common in riarian areas. Found at low elevations, may not hybernate.
Status: 
Behavior: They emerge early in the evening, often before sunset, and may be active after sunrise.  Strong, fast and erratic flier.
Wingspan: cm / 7-9 inches 
Weight: Avg.  4g /0.15 oz
Body Length: Avg.  mm   / 2.4-3.4 inches
Offspring: 2 pup. Young fly at 4 weeks old.
Lifespan: Avg. years