- Medium sized, with a total body length ranging from 8.3 to 11 centimetres (3 ¼ to 4 ¼ inches).
- Wingspan is about 28 centimetres (11 inches).
- The long-eared bat (sometimes called the 'long-eared myotis') as the name implies, is characterized by long black ears which
extend well beyond the tip of the nose when gently laid forward.
- Is a western species restricted largely to mountainous regions, although a few colonies have been found in the prairies
(for example, at Hesketh, Alberta).
- Preferred habitat appears to be coniferous cover high in the mountains of British Columbia and Alberta.
- These bats probably roost in trees in the summer but individuals collected for scientific study in Alberta usually are collected
at caves in the fall.
- Some of these bats swarm at Cadomin Cave in August.
- Diet includes beetles, flies and moths.
- Nursery colonies consist of 12 to 30 individuals.
- Each female bears a single young each year. The winter habits of the species are unknown.
The long-eared bat is classified as Secure in the current General Status of Alberta Wild Species report. See:
Updated: April 29, 2009