| Western
Red Bat |
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Western
Red Bat (Lasiurus blossevillii)
By Tim K. Snow, Biologist, Nongame Branch |
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Scientific
Name:
Lasiurus blossevillii. Derived from the Greek lasios meaning shaggy and
oura meaning having a tail. Derivation of the Latin specific epithet is
unclear. |
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Description:
A beautiful bat. The fur ranges from yellow-brown to bright orange, with
white-tipped hairs. Distinct white bib under neck, in spectacular contrast
to jet-black wing membrane. Dorsal surface of tail membrane completely
furred. Medium sized, with short, round ears and dense, shaggy fur.
Forearm 1.5 inches long, weight 0.25 to 0.5 ounce. Wingspan about 12
inches. |
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Habitat:
Broad-leafed woodlands, usually in riparian areas. Primarily found at mid-elevations;
in Arizona known from 2,400 to 7,200 feet. |
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Distribution:
North, Central, and South America. Arizona: statewide, from spring until
fall (April-September). In winter, migrates to lower latitudes, where
most hibernate. |
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Biology:
While roosting, with their head tucked under their tail and enveloped by
their wings, red bats resemble dead leaves. In fact, they are so well
camouflaged that one person inadvertently plucked a female and her
offspring while reaching for a peach. They typically roost singly in
the foliage of broad-leafed trees such as sycamores, cottonwoods, walnuts,
and fruit orchards, sometimes in leafy shrubs or herbs (perhaps also
in saguaro boots and canyon grape vines). Roosts are shaded from above
and on the sides, generally three to many feet off the ground, and
open below, thus allowing these bats to drop into flight.
Emerging one to two hours after dark, red bats forage on moths, beetles,
flying ants, and occasionally on ground-dwelling crickets. Although they
can reach speeds of 40 mph in flight, they usually remain within 1,000
yards or so of their roosts. Sometimes they hunt around street lamps near
their roosts. Although usually solitary, these bats occasionally forage
in family groups comprised of an adult female and her offspring.
Red bats mate between August and October. As with most North American bats,
the female stores sperm until spring, when fertilization occurs. Gestation
is about 65 days; most young are born between mid-May and June. Females
have two pairs of mammae. Litters range from 1 to 5 (averaging 2). Pups
weigh a mere 0.02 ounce at birth and begin flying when 3 to 4 weeks old.
In late fall, western red bats are thought to migrate to and hibernate
in the southern part of their range. Dense body fur and various metabolic
adaptations allow them to withstand subfreezing temperatures. Hibernating,
or torpid, individuals respond very slowly to temperature changes. Laboratory
tests indicate they will not arouse until ambient temperatures reach 66
degrees Fahrenheit. |
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Status:
The western red bat was included on the Department's draft list of Arizona
Wildlife of Special Concern (AGFD in prep.). It has not been listed
or proposed for listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as endangered
or threatened. In Arizona, all bats are protected through Commission
Order 14, and cannot be taken alive or dead, under auspices of a hunting
license. Bats cannot be imported, exported, or otherwise possessed,
without a special permit issued pursuant to Article 4 (Live Wildlife
Rules). |
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Management
Needs:
Detailed information is lacking, but loss of riparian and other broad-leafed
deciduous forests is suspected to have had a negative effect on western
red bats. Protecting riparian areas may be the best means of ensuring their
continued existence. In addition, studies determining basic life history
information, population status and trends, and roost requirements are sorely
needed. |
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