Yuma Myotis
Order Chiroptera : Family Vespertilionidae : Myotis yumanensis (H. Allen)

Description. A small bat similar to M. lucifugus; feet relatively large, more than half as long as tibia; ratio of tail to head and body more than 80; coloration dull, pale pinkish, or cream buff; immature individuals darker, nearly cinnamon buff; membranes pale brownish; underparts pale buff, nearly white; pelage short as compared with M. lucifugus; viewed from the side, the skull rises more abruptly from the rostrum than in M. lucifugus; dental formula as in M. californicus. External measurements average: total length, 78 mm; tail, 34 mm; foot, 8 mm; forearm, 34 mm.

Distribution in Texas. Restricted in Texas to the southern Trans-Pecos and Rio Grande Valley.

Habits. Surprisingly little information is available on the habits of this species in Texas. It is primarily an inhabitant of desert regions where it is most commonly encountered in lowland habitats near open water, where it prefers to forage. It roosts in caves, abandoned mine tunnels, and buildings. In the Big Bend region of Texas, it is common in summer along the Rio Grande where it comes to drink just after sundown. Its flight is fluttering and erratic, as it is in other members of the genus. No winter records are available for Texas, and it is unknown whether theYuma myotis migrates or overwinters in the state during this season.

The stomachs of bats captured in Big Bend National Park contained moths, froghoppers and leafhoppers, June beetles, ground beetles, midges, muscid flies, caddisflies, and craneflies.

The season of partus is from May to early July, and usually only one young is born to each female.

Photo credit: Merlin D. Tuttle, Bat Conservation International.