an illustrated knowledgebase helping connect local folks & local nature in Delaware County, IN
Meet Muncie's Microbats
9 species of bats may be found in Delaware County, with 13 total species documented throughout our state.
BUT FIRST, A QUICK SAFETY CHECK:
never touch a wild bat!
Find a nearby, permitted wildlife rehabilitator here.
SCROLL DOWN TO START LEARNING, OR SKIP TO A BAT:
Bats [Chiroptera] are the 2nd largest order of mammals – with 1,400+ species worldwide! They play key roles in global ecosystems by providing pest control (insects), pollinating plants (agave, guava), dispersing fruit seeds (avocados, bananas), & dropping nutrients (guano) that support cave-dwelling insects and amphibians. Scroll down to learn about our local bats!
all bats in Indiana share the following:
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Subphylum:
Class:
Subclass:
Infraclass:
Order:
Suborder:
Family:
Animalia [animals]
Chordata [chordates]
Vertebrata [vertebrates]
Mammalia [mammals]
Theria [live-bearing mammals]
Eutheria [placental mammals]
Chiroptera [bats]
Microchiroptera [microbats]
Vespertilionidae [evening + vesper bats]
*our local bats have different subfamilies, genera (genus), & species.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
-
free pest control by eating harmful & pesky insects (helps farmers & the crops we eat!)
HABITAT
-
use of forests (woodlands, wetlands, & riparian areas)
THREATS
-
White-nose syndrome (WNS)
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habitat loss (deforestation), invasive species, and cave/mine disturbances
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climate change (severe & frequent changes in weather patterns)
-
pollutants (use of pesticides & herbicides)
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wind turbines
-
harmful myths and misinformation
DIET
-
insects (mosquitoes, beetles, stink bugs, & moths)
TRAITS
-
use of echolocation
-
nocturnal (active at night)
-
plain noses (no nose leaf)
-
ears possess a tragus
-
small eyes
-
long tails
Now, let's meet our local bats!
USE THIS CONSERVATION STATUS KEY:
SC = State Special Concern
SE = State Endangered
FT = Federal Threatened
FE = Federal Endangered
& THESE HELPFUL TERMS:
Calcar = a cartilage, spike-shaped structure that arises from the ankle and extends toward the tail (a spur)
Calcar (Keeled) = a calcar that extends/protrudes the tail membrane (look for a triangle shape near feet)
Conservation = the act of keeping & protecting from waste, loss, or destruction
Deforestation = the cutting down of forests or groups of trees for non-forest use
Echolocation = process of locating objects using sound waves (used for navigation, hunting, & social calls)
Ecosystem = all living and non-living things in an area (plants, animals, soil, water, air)
Extirpated = a species that is no longer observed in a specific region (some call it a "local extinction")
Foliage = the leaves, flowers, and branches of a tree
Forage = to search for food
Fragmentation = process of a large habitat area being transformed into smaller, isolated patches
Hibernacula = a place where bats hibernate during winter (caves, mines, crevices in rocks, built structures)
Invasive Species = species not native to where they are found (can disturb local ecosystems)
Maternity Colony = a temporary gathering of pregnant female bats for giving birth & raising baby bats (pups!)
Migratory = species that migrate (most bat species that roost in trees during summer migrate south for winter)
Myotinae = mouse-eared, silver-haired, and wing-gland bats (a subfamily of Vespertilionidae, vesper bats)
Nocturnal = active at night
Pesticide = a chemical substance used to kill insects that harms plants and crops (& the animals that eat them)
Riparian area = relating to or living or located on the banks of a natural waterway (river, stream, reservoir)
Roost = any place wild bats live (trees, caves, mines, built structures, & sometimes bat boxes)
Tragus = a cartilage structure within the ear, located in front of ear canal (assists in echolocation)
Uropatagium = membrane stretching between legs, encompassing all/parts of tail (assists in flight)
Vespertilioninae = evening, forest, pipistrelle, & serotine bats (a subfamily of Vespertilionidae, vesper bats)
Wetlands = areas where water covers or floods the soil (marshes, swamps)
White-nose Syndrome (WNS) = fungal disease killing cave-dwelling bats in North America (whitenosesyndrome.org)
Woodlands = land covered with trees
Can't find a word you're looking for? Check out the glossary for more terms & resources.
Myotis sodalis
INDIANA BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Species confirmed with WNS.
Status = SE & FE
Subfamily = Myotinae
Genus = Myotis [mouse-eared bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3 - 3½ inches
Weight = 5 - 11 grams
Wingspan = 9½ - 10½ inches
Lifespan = 15 years (average)
Fur = dark gray to brown above & gray below; soft & fluffy
Tragus = slender & pointed
Calcar = keeled
Other = short toe hairs; wings & body are same color
ROOSTING HABITS
Summer = forest trees (cavities/crevices; loose bark)
Winter = caves & mines
Size = small to large groups, in tight clusters
Eptesicus fuscus
BIG BROWN BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Species confirmed with WNS.
Status =
Subfamily = Vespertilioninae
Genus = Eptesicus [big brown, forest, & serotine bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 4½ - 5 inches
Weight = 13 - 25 grams
Wingspan = 13 inches (average)
Lifespan = up to 20 years
Fur = two-toned, black base with brown tips; long; oily
Tragus = broad & rounded
Calcar = keeled
Other = short, blunt ears; black snout, ears, & wing membrane; very large bat
ROOSTING HABITS
Summer = forest trees (cavities/crevices; loose bark) & structures
Winter = caves, mines, & structures
Size = solitary, or small groups
This species will use a bat house.
Photo descriptions:
Petunia eating a mealworm & Chocolate; 2 big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) photographed during an Indiana Master Naturalist class on local bats, led by Dr. Tim Carter.
2019 Kortnie Huffman
meet 2 local big brown bats!
LITTLE BROWN BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Species confirmed with WNS.
Status = SE
Subfamily = Myotinae
Genus = Myotis [mouse-eared bats]
Myotis lucifugus
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 2½ - 4 inches
Weight = 7 - 8 grams
Wingspan = 8¾ - 10½ inches
Lifespan = 6 - 10 years (average)
Fur = tan to dark brown; long; glossy
Tragus = slender & pointed
Calcar = no keel
Other = long toe hairs (extend beyond claws); dark wings
ROOSTING HABITS
Summer = forest trees (cavities/crevices) & structures
Winter = caves, mines, & structures
Size = small to large groups, in tight clusters
This species will use a bat house.
Perimyotis subflavus
TRICOLORED BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Species confirmed with WNS.
Status = SE
Subfamily = Vespertilioninae
Genus = Perimyotis
Formerly known as the eastern pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus).
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3 - 3½ inches
Weight = 4 - 7 grams
Wingspan = 8½ - 10 inches
Lifespan = 4 - 8 years (average)
Fur = "tricolored" – brown to tan to orange
Tragus = blunt & straight
Calcar = no keel
Other = pink forearms; black wings
ROOSTING HABITS
Summer = forest trees (cavities/crevices; foliage)
Winter = caves & mines
Size = solitary, or small groups
Myotis septentrionalis
NORTHERN LONG-EARED BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Species confirmed with WNS.
Status = SE & FT
Subfamily = Myotinae
Genus = Myotis [mouse-eared bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3 inches (average)
Weight = 5 - 10 grams
Wingspan = 9 - 10 inches
Lifespan = up to 18 years
Fur = grayish below, brown on top; dull
Tragus = very long & slender
Calcar = keeled
Other = large ears
ROOSTING HABITS
Summer = forest trees (cavities/crevices; loose bark) & under bridges or porches
Winter = caves & mines
Size = solitary, or very small groups
This species will use a bat house.
SILVER-HAIRED BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Status = SC
Subfamily = Myotinae
Genus = Lasionycteris [silver-haired bats]
Lasionycteris noctivagans
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3½ - 4½ inches
Weight = 7 - 16 grams
Wingspan = 10½ - 12 inches
Lifespan = 5 - 10 years
Fur = black or dark brown with silver/white frosted tips
Tragus = blunt & rounded
Calcar = no keel
Other = completely furred; black ears
ROOSTING HABITS (MIGRATORY)
Spring-Fall = trees (cavities/crevices; loose bark; leaf litter; occasionally in walls, attics, or caves
Winter = migrates south
Size = solitary, or small groups
Nycticeius humeralis
EVENING BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Status = SE
Subfamily = Vespertilioninae
Genus = Nycticeius [evening bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3 inches (average)
Weight = 5 - 14 grams
Wingspan = 10 - 11 inches
Lifespan = 2 years (average)
Fur = dark brown
Tragus = short & rounded
Calcar = no keel
Other = black ears; only 2 upper incisors; strong odor
ROOSTING HABITS (MIGRATORY)
Summer = trees (cavities/crevices; loose bark; leaf litter); buildings
Winter = migrates south
Size = small to large groups
This species will use a bat house.
Lasiurus cinereus
HOARY BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Status = SC
Subfamily = Vespertilioninae
Genus = Lasiurus [hairy-tailed bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 5 - 6 inches
Weight = 20 - 35 grams
Wingspan = 17 inches (average)
Lifespan = 2 years (average)
Fur = marbled (orange, yellow, brown) with heavy frosted tips
Tragus = short, blunt, & curved
Calcar = keeled
Other = completely furred; very large bat
ROOSTING HABITS (MIGRATORY)
Summer = trees (foliage; loose bark; leaf litter)
Winter = migrates south
Size = solitary, or with young
Lasiurus borealis
EASTERN RED BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Status = SC
Subfamily = Vespertilioninae
Genus = Lasiurus [hairy-tailed bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3½ - 4½ inches
Weight = 8 - 16 grams
Wingspan = 13 inches (average)
Lifespan = up to 8 years
Fur = bright orange/brown/red; frosted white tips (females)
Tragus = short, blunt, & curved
Calcar = keeled
Other = completely furred
ROOSTING HABITS (MIGRATORY)
Summer = trees (foliage; loose bark; leaf litter)
Winter = migrates south
Size = solitary, or with young
Corynorhinus rafinesquii
RAFINESQUE'S BIG-EARED BAT
[EXTIRPATED] Species last recorded in Indiana in 1962; was found in Delaware County / ECI
Status = SC
Subfamily = Vespertilioninae
Genus = Corynorhinus [North American big-eared bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 4 inches (average)
Weight = 8 - 14 grams
Wingspan = 10 - 12 inches
Lifespan = up to 10 years
Fur = brownish-gray; dull
Tragus = broad, long, & pointed
Calcar = keeled
Other = huge ears; long toe hairs; large nose glands
ROOSTING HABITS
Summer = trees (hollow; cavities/crevices)
Winter = caves & mines; abandoned houses
Size = solitary, or very small groups
Myotis austroriparius
SOUTHEASTERN BAT
[EXTIRPATED] Species last recorded in Indiana in 1977; was found in Southern Indiana.
Status = SC
Subfamily = Myotinae
Genus = Myotis [mouse-eared bats]
