Long-legged Bat  

(Myotis Volans)

PHOTOS BY MERLIN TUTTLE

Fur color varies from reddish-brown to nearly black. 
Primary Prey: Diet consists mostly of moths (75%), but they also feed on termites, spiders, flies, and beetles. They are capable of detecting prey at a distance of 5 to 10 meters. They can even see bugs on the surface
of trees. 
Preditor:
Range: Throughout much of western North America; from central Mexico to southeastern Alaska and western Canada. 
Status:
Behavior: M. Volanstakes aerial prey 3 to 4 meters over water, forest clearings, and forest canopy. 
• Large nursery colonies, which may number in the hundreds, are formed by this species. These colonies
occur most commonly in trees. 
• Mating occurs before the bats enter hibernation in late August or September. 
• Little information regarding the habits of M. volans.
• Winter habitat is largely unknown. However some M. volanshave been found Hibernating in the Eastern
Sierra.  
• The echolocation call consists of a shallow frequency modulated sweep. 
• Bats can eat hundreds of pounds of insects each night that they forage. They are of great interest to
farmers for this role in preventing crop destruction by the insects without the use of harmful chemicals
and pesticides.
Wingspan: 215-272 mm
Weight: Avg. 7 g  
Length: 83-100 mm   
Offspring: 1 pup 
Lifespan: Avg. 21 year