Wind turbines, as some are installed in the migratory path of bats and cause injury or death due to the air pressure changes.Habitat loss, including overly groomed shorelines and removing large or dead trees from shorelines, and.Pesticides, as they poison or reduce their food supply,.Other threats to the little brown bats include: Less bats means fewer mating options to choose from. They may wake up early from their hibernation due to thirst and fly outside during winter in search of water.īats at over three quarters of Ontario’s hibernation sites are at risk of disappearing due to this disease. This disease also impacts the wing membrane – or the little brown bat’s ability to maintain water balance. The effect of white nose syndrome is a disruption in their hibernation cycle, resulting in the use of body fat supplies before spring and finding more food. Little brown bats are introduced to the fungus in cold but humid environments, just like the mines and caves they hibernate in throughout winter. This disease stems from a fungus suspected of being introduced to North America from Europe. One of the biggest threats currently facing little brown bats is white nose syndrome. This helps them figure out what’s in their path. When bats use echolocation, they emit sound waves at a high frequency – above human hearing – to bounce off objects in their environment. They use these visual cues alongside echolocation to navigate and find food, especially during long-distance migrations. This unique bat is one of two bat species in Ontario that will use human structures in the summer, such as buildings or bat boxes, for their maternity colony habitat.īecause they’re so small, little brown bats must feed on equally tiny species.įlying insects are their main source of food, and they’re able to catch over 1,000 insects within one hour.ĭespite the ghoulish rumours, little brown bats have great vision. During hibernation, they slow their metabolism, heart rate, and breathing. Little brown bats typically begin hibernation around October or November and will remain in that state until March or April. They typically choose caves or abandoned mines thanks to the humidity and above-freezing temperatures during the colder months. The little brown bat may move up to 1,000 km from their summer to winter roosts to hibernate. The distance they travel for winter migration is also much shorter than other winged friends. You can also find them in the northern half of the United States and cooler, mountain regions of central Mexico. In Canada, the little brown bat can be found across all provinces and territories, except Nunavut. They can be up to five centimetres long with a wingspan ranging from 22 to 27 centimetres – less than a foot wide. They weigh between four and 14 grams, about as heavy as our beloved loonie or toonie. The little brown bat is just that – tiny! To celebrate Halloween, we’re sharing 5 facts about the little brown bat you need to know – and what you can do to help protect this species. This is despite half their global range being within Canada! The little brown bat, otherwise known as Myotis lucifugus, is one of these spooky species.Īnd the most frightening thing of all? They’re endangered, meaning they face imminent extinction or extirpation in Ontario. When we think Halloween, a few things come to mind including trick or treating, pumpkin carving, vampires, and bats – just to name a few.īut did you know there’s 18 bat species in Canada?
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