Silver-haired Bat
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Lasionycteris noctivagans
Scientific name translation: "Hairy and nocturnal", "Night wandering" |
Description
Silver-haired bats are medium sized with a black face, ears, and wings. Their fur is dark brown or black with silver tipped hairs and a heavily furred uropatagium. Silver-haired bats have short, rounded, and hairless ears with a blunt tragus. L. noctivagans head and body length ranges from 53–63 mm, tail length ranges from 39–45 mm, ear length is approximately 14 mm, and forearm length ranges from 38–45 mm.
Distribution
This species is associated with deciduous, coniferous, and old-growth forests with a reliance on mature tree stands and high snag densities. In South Dakota, silver-haired bats are found across the state in the summer, and have even been found hibernating in the Black Hills National Forest.
Ecology
Silver-haired bats are tree-roosting specialists and are known to hibernate in forested areas by camouflaging themselves within small tree cavities, beneath bark, and in rocky crevices. They are typically a solitary species, but will roost in small groups. Females and males will be separated geographically from each other in summer months, but will come together to breed in the fall.
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