Bats of the Northwest Territories

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.