FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
The bat species of northern bat belong to the kingdom Animalia, class mammalian, family Vespertilionidae, and genus Eptesicus. Their scientific name is 'Eptesicus nilssonii'. Northern bats are the largest bat species in North America. They are easily recognizable by their long furred tails and large size. Northern bats live in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and grasslands.
They feed on a variety of prey items, including insects, frogs, and small mammals. Northern bats hibernate during the winter months and give birth to one or two young per year. Northern bats have large ears and broadheads, which makes them look more like raccoons than typical bats. Northern bats are nocturnal, so active at night while they hunt for prey.
The Northern bat is a type of nocturnal and hibernating bats. Northern bats have a wingspan of up to 20 in (50 cm) and can weigh over 3 lb (1.3 kg).
Northern bats belong to phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Chiroptera, family Vespertilionidae, and genus Eptesicus. Northern bats are important predators of insects, including many pest species that damage crops or spread diseases like the West Nile Virus.
The exact number of their population is not known yet, but as they come under the status of Least Concern, as they exist in abundance.
Much of eastern North America, ranging from western Newfoundland to southern Quebec, Manitoba, and Ontario, as well as central Alberta, and south and through eastern Great Plains to eastern Oklahoma, northern Mississippi, northern Louisiana, southern Alabama, eastern North Carolina, central Georgia, north-central Florida, eastern South Carolina, and the Atlantic Coast.
Northern bats live in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and grasslands. Northern bats can be found in both deciduous and coniferous forests. They are also commonly found in open areas with scattered trees or near water. Northern bats hibernate during the winter months and give birth to one or two young per year.
The northern bat was assumed to be a sedentary species, however, research has revealed that colonies have traveled as far as 279 mi (450 km). It's doesn't migrate seasonally, but rather over a long period of time. Males live alone in the summer, but females establish colonies of 10-80 adults. When juvenile bats are capable of flying, a colony forms in summer and disbands in August. Winter colonies are frequently found in dwellings and natural or man-made subsurface habitats. In summer, northern bats can be found in high numbers in north side areas.
This species can live up to eighteen years in wildlife. The average age of a bat is about 20 years, while some can even live up to 30 years as well.
Northern bats, both male, and female have a large number of mates in breeding process. Mating happens in the autumn when clusters of a few hundred assemble and pairs mate prior to hibernating. During hibernation, the females store the males' sperm inside of them; they do not get pregnant till they emerge in spring. A single child is born after a 50-60 day pregnancy. In late June or early July, young are born. Females and offspring form maternity colonies. Northern bats are born vulnerable and reliant on their moms. Northern bat females nurse the young for roughly a month. Males do not assist in the caring of the children.
According to the IUCN Red List, the conservation status of Northern long-eared bats is Least Concern (LC). Northern bats are not currently listed as Near Threatened or Endangered, but they are considered Vulnerable. Northern bats have been impacted by white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has killed millions of bats across North America. There is no known cure for white-nose syndrome, so researchers are working to develop methods to protect northern bat populations from the disease.
It is important to protect these small vulnerable species in the world for the betterment of the world.
A medium-sized bat with a wingspan of around 20 in (50 cm) and a body length of 2-2.5 in (54 - 64 mm). In terms of pelage, this species is very similar to the small brown bat. The color of the fur varies, although it is normally medium brown on the upper parts and lighter on the belly. The presence of a significantly large, pointed tragus in the ear is the greatest way to recognize the northern bat from related species. All other Myotis species have a short, blunt-tipped tragus. On average, the ears of this animal are longer than those of other Myotis species, however, this characteristic is not always evident.
These species are very small and black in color, so for some, maybe they are scary animals. But there are many bat lovers who believe bats are cute!
Northern bats use the technique of echolocation to communicate as well as to hunt for food at night. They emit calls to the external environment and listen to the echo they get in return.
The Northern bat is a medium-sized bat that has a body length of 2-2.5 in (54 - 64 mm). The northern bat is present in Kentucky all year and has a statewide distribution, however, it can be found locally throughout much of the state's central region.
The speed of flying of this species is not known yet, but the average speed at which a bat flies is around 100 mph (160 kph).
The weight of a northern bat is roughly around 0.28-0.56 oz (8-16 g). Northern bats are the largest bat species in North America.
Males and females of this species do not have any specific names.
The babies of the northern bat are called 'pups'.
Northern long-eared bats, like other bats, emerge at dusk to feed. They generally fly through the understory of forested environments, eating on moths, leafhoppers, caddisflies, flies, and beetles that they grab while flying or by gleaning stationary insects from foliage.
They feed on a variety of prey items, including insects, frogs, and small mammals found in habitats that include forests, woodlands, and grasslands.
These northern bats are not dangerous to humans.
These bats would not make suitable pets because they require their natural habitat of arid places and woods to survive and will not thrive in homes.
It is wise to leave them to thrive in their natural habitats and grow in numbers to balance the environment ecologically.
These bats have separate habitats for summer and winter. In winters, they use locations in different sizes of caves or mines that have consistent high humidity, temperatures, and no air currents. Northern long-eared bats sleep alone or in colonies beneath the bark, dead trees in forest, in cavities, or in cracks of both snags and live trees during the summer.
No, these bats cannot harm you. They are very small and also do not have any characteristics of their natural self to harm anybody. They're not poisonous either.
Yes, bats migrate according to the season. Northern long-eared bats hibernate in mines and caves called hibernacula during the winter. Non-reproductive females and males may roost in caves and mines, which are colder environments.
*We've been unable to source an image of a northern bat and have used an image of a flying fox of the same order instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of the northern bat, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected].
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.