Hoary bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hoary bat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Aeorestes
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| Species: |
cinereus
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| Distribution of the hoary bat (2008) | |
The hoary bat (Aeorestes cinereus) is a special kind of bat. It belongs to a bat family called Vespertilionidae. You can find these bats in many places! They live across most of North America and a big part of South America. You can also spot them in the Galápagos Islands and Hawaii.
About the Hoary Bat
The hoary bat is about 13 to 14.5 centimeters (5.1 to 5.7 inches) long. That's about the length of a pen! Its wingspan is around 40 centimeters (15.5 inches). This means its wings stretch out quite wide.
These bats weigh about 26 grams (0.92 ounces). That's like the weight of a few quarters. Their fur is thick and dark brown. Each hair has a white tip, which makes them look "hoary" or frosted. Most of their body is covered in fur, except for the underside of their wings. Male and female hoary bats are different in how much they weigh.
Hoary Bat Behavior
Hoary bats usually like to rest alone. They often hang upside down in trees. Sometimes, though, they have been seen in caves with other bats.
These bats prefer to live in woodland areas. They especially like coniferous forests, which are forests with trees like pines and firs. However, when they hunt for food, they fly over open spaces or lakes. Hoary bats hunt by themselves. Their favorite food is moths. They can travel as far as 39 kilometers (24 miles) while looking for food!
In the winter, hoary bats fly to warmer places. They live in Central America and the southwestern United States. When spring and summer arrive, they travel north. They then live in the United States and Canada.
Hoary Bat Reproduction
Scientists are still learning about how hoary bats have babies. But they think that these bats mate in August. It is also believed that the babies are born in June of the next year.
The time a baby bat spends growing inside its mother is called the gestation period. For hoary bats, this period is thought to be only about 40 days. A mother hoary bat usually gives birth to one baby, called a pup. Sometimes, she might have twins! The young bats stay with their mother for about a month. After that, they are ready to leave and explore on their own.
Images for kids
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Juvenile male hoary bat on a tree, frosted "hoary" dorsal coloration visible
