Bats of the Northwest Territories

Their Unique AdaptationsBats are the only mammals capable of true flight.A thin membrane covers a set of fingers, whichtogether, act as wings.White-nose SyndromeWhite-nose syndrome is named for a distinctivewhite fungus on a bat’s muzzle and wings. Since2006, millions of hibernating bats have died ofthis disease in the eastern parts of Canada andthe United States. White-nose syndrome has notbeen reported in the NWT but it may eventuallyspread north. It is not thought to be a humanhealth issue.White-nose syndrome is most commonly spreadfrom bat to bat but it can be spread from cave tocave on boots, equipment and clothing.Bats of theNorthwest TerritoriesBats in the NorthwestTerritoriesThere are approximately 1200 species of batsworld-wide — more than one-fifth of the entireworld’s mammal species.In the NWT, only three species of bats wereknown before 2006. Thanks to research andpublic input, there are now seven confirmedspecies and one suspected for a total of eight.Credit: Arizona State ParksBats are nocturnal: they sleep during the day andare active at night.You can help by staying out ofcaves that may contain bats.They are not blind but they rely on their earsmore than their eyes to find food and navigatethe night skies. Using echolocation (highfrequencysound waves bouncing off objects),bats determine the shape, distance and size ofthe objects around them.Photo credit: Ryan von Linden/New York Department ofEnvironmental ConservationIf you see a bat:Photo credit: J. M. Wilson/GNWTAll bats in the NWT eat insects. They canconsume their own body weight in insects eachnight. One little brown myotis can eat as manyas 600 mosquito-sized insects in one hour!In the summer, NWT bats roost (rest) in treehollows, under tree bark, among the leaves oftrees, in caves, in rock crevices and in buildings.Credit: Outcrop CommunicationsBats are long-living and reproduce very slowly.Many bat species only produce one pup per year.This makes them sensitive to population decline.• Do not handle it• Take a photo if you can• For advice on dealing with bats inbuildings, go to www.batcon.orgIn the winter, some NWT bat species migratesouth to warmer areas. Other species stay andhibernate in caves or deep crevices.Bats are warm-blooded and can withstand a widerange of body temperatures. In the summer,they rely on the sun to warm up their roosts andpromote rapid growth of young bats. On cold days,in both summer and winter, their body temperaturedrops as they enter a state of torpor (deep sleepand low metabolic rate) to save energy.For more information, contact yourregional ENR office or call(867) 920-6327Help us monitor bats!Report all bat observations toWILDLIFEOBS@gov.nt.caPhoto credit: J. M. Wilson/GNWT

Little Brown MyotisMyotis lucifugusThe little brown myotis is the most common batin the NWT. It is known to hibernate here. Thisbat often lives in colonies in buildings but alsoroosts in trees and rock crevices.Wingspan: 22 to 27 cmWeight: 8 to 9 gramsLifespan: Up to 36 yearsRank: May be at riskin the NWTStatus:Endangered in CanadaNorthern MyotisMyotis septentrionalisThe northern myotis looks similar to a little brownmyotis but its ears are longer. This bat searches forits prey in more cluttered areas like forest edges andovergrown trails. Sometimes it catches insects sittingon twigs or leaves.Wingspan: 23 to 26 cmWeight: 7 to 8 gramsLifespan: About 20 yearsRank: May be at riskin the NWTStatus:Endangered in CanadaLong-eared MyotisMyotis evotisThe long-eared myotis is characterized by itsdistinctive long black ears. Its relatively quietecholocation calls are good for sneaking up onprey and moving through cluttered areas.Wingspan: 25 to 29 cmWeight: 7 gramsLifespan: Up to 22 yearsRank: May be at riskin the NWTLong-legged MyotisMyotis volansThe long-legged myotis looks very similar to alittle brown myotis and is typically dark brown.It is a bat that lives primarily in coniferousforests.Wingspan: 25 to 27 cmWeight: 8 gramsLifespan: Up to 21 yearsRank: May be at riskin the NWTPhoto credit: Michael Durham/BatConservation International (BCI)Photo credit: J. Scott AltenbachPhoto credit: J. Scott AltenbachPhoto credit: Michael Durham/BCIBig Brown BatEptesicus fuscusThe big brown bat is ahigh flier and is easy tospot early in the night.This species lives in avariety of habitats androosts in trees, rockcrevices and buildings.Wingspan: 32 to 39 cmWeight: 18 to 19 gramsLifespan: 20 yearsRank: Undetermined inthe NWTSilver-haired BatLasionycteris noctivagansThe silver-haired bat has black wings and dark,silver-tipped hair. It is thought this speciesmigrates south for the winter.Wingspan: 27 to 31 cmWeight: 11 gramsLifespan: Up to 12 yearsRank: Undetermined inthe NWTHoary BatLasiurus cinereusThe hoary bat, named for the frosted appearanceof its fur, roosts among the leaves andneedles of trees. It is the largest bat in Canadaand migrates south for the winter.Wingspan: 34 to 41 cmWeight: 28 gramsLifespan: Up to 12 yearsRank: Undetermined inthe NWTEastern Red BatLasiurus borealisThe eastern red bat’s distinctive orange to redcolouring stands out among other bats. Thisbat migrates south for the winter. Its uniqueultrasound has been recorded in the NWTbut there have been nocaptures.Wingspan: 22 to 33 cmWeight: 13 gramsLifespan: About 12 yearsRank: Presence expectedin the NWTPhoto credit: Cori LausenPhoto credit: Michael Durham/BCI Photo credit: Michael Durham/BCI Photo credit: Merlin D. Tuttle/BCICover photo credits:Long-eared myotis - Michael Durham/BCILittle brown myotis - Merlin D. Tuttle/BCILittle brown myotis - Michael Durham/BCINote: Maps are based on confirmed observations and willchange as new information becomes available.