Northern Myotis
Order Chiroptera : Family Vespertilionidae : Myotis septentrionalis (Trouessart)

Description. This is a small bat with dull, gray-brown pelage. Compared to other Myotis from Texas, M. septentrionalis has relatively long ears and an unkeeled calcar. As with all Myotis, this bat also has a narrow and sharp-pointed tragus. Dental formula as in M. californicus. External measurements average: total length, 78 mm; tail, 26 mm; foot, 9 mm; ear, 13 mm; forearm, 35 mm.

Distribution in Texas. Widely distributed over eastern and northern North America, this bat is known in Texas on the basis of only one specimen from Winterhaven in Dimmit County. It is doubtful that resident populations of this species occur in Texas.

Habits. This bat hibernates in caves and mine tunnels in eastern Canada and in the United States from Vermont to Nebraska. It is more solitary in its habits than other Myotis, generally found singly or in small groups of up to 100 individuals. In summer, this bat may occasionally be found in hollow trees, rock crevices, behind tree bark, and in buildings.

M. septentrionalis commonly forages along forest edges, over forest clearings, and occasionally over ponds but specific food habits remain unknown.

Little is known of the reproductive habits of this bat. Small nursery colonies seem the rule, and twinning may occasionally occur.