Description: A large (wingspread: 30 - 32 cm [12 - 13 in.]; mass: 9 - 11 g
[0.32 - 0.39 oz]) big-eared bat with pale gray or brown fur above and
buff
fur below. Ears enormous, more than 2.5 cm (1 in.) long, joined across
the top of the head, and without lobes (lappets) on the inner edge near the
base. Nose has two large glandular lumps in front of the eyes. Wing membranes
are naked. Mates during fall and winter; one offspring is born during late
spring or early summer. Up to 200 females congregate in caves, mines, or buildings
to form maternity colonies. Colonial in nurseries and during hibernation; may
be solitary during part of the year. Other species of
big-eared bats likely to be found in southern Nevada may be difficult to
separate, but this species is unique with its conspicuous bumps on the nose
that are not found on any other species.
Diet: Feeds on small moths and other small flying insects.
Habitat: Highly associated with caves and mines. Found from low desert
to high mountain habitats at elevations between 210 - 3,500 m (to over
11,000 ft.). Day roosts include mines, caves, and occasionally cliffs, cracks,
or crevices. Night roosts include abandoned buildings.
Range: The subspecies occurs throughout much of the western United
States including southern and eastern Nevada. In Clark County, this bat
has been documented in the Spring and Newberry mountains, at the
eastern portion of Lake Mead, and along the Muddy River. It is suspected
to occur elsewhere in suitable habitat.
Ross
Haley, National Park Service
