Big brown bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Big brown bat |
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| A big brown bat on a rock | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eptesicus
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| Species: |
fuscus
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| Range map | |
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The big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) is a type of vesper bat. It is found in North America, the Caribbean, and the northern part of South America. The big brown bat weighs 15–26 g (0.53–0.92 oz). It has a wingspan of 32.5–35 cm (12.8–13.8 in).
Contents
Description
It is a large microbat. It weighs 15–26 g (0.53–0.92 oz). It is 110–130 mm (4.3–5.1 in) long. Its wingspan is 32.5–35 cm (12.8–13.8 in). Its dorsal fur is reddish brown. Its ventral fur is lighter brown. Its snout, uropatagium, and wings are black and do not have any hair. Its ears are also black and short.
Distribution and Habitat
The big brown bat is found from southern Canada and Alaska to as far south as Colombia and Venezuela. It has also been seen in the Caribbean in both the Greater and Lesser Antilles, including Cuba, Hispaniola, Dominica, Barbados, and the Bahamas. The big brown bat has been seen from 300–3,100 m (980–10,170 ft) above sea level. It is able to live in urban, suburban, or rural environments.
Feeding
Big brown bats are insectivorous. They eat many kinds of insects like beetles, flies, stone flies, mayflies, true bugs, net-winged insects, scorpionflies, caddisflies, and cockroaches.
Behavior
The big brown bat is a nocturnal animal. It roosts in sheltered places during the day. It roosts in mines, caves, tunnels, buildings, bat boxes, tree cavities, storm drains, wood piles, and rock crevices. In the summer, males usually live by themselves though they may form a small group that is only made up of males.
Reproduction
Big brown bat mating season is in the fall. After the breeding season, pregnant females separate into maternity colonies around April. Maternity colonies range in size from 5-700 bats. The pups are blind and helpless. It weighs 3 g (0.11 oz). The pup sucks milk from its mother for one month. Pups begin flying, at three to five weeks old.
Notes
Images for kids
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A big brown bat baring teeth, illustrating the creature's dental formula.
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A big brown bat, eating a mealworm.
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A big brown bat, sleeping on a cave wall
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Two big brown bats roosting in a Minnesota barn
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A typical bat box affixed to a post
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See also
In Spanish: Eptesicus fuscus para niños
