Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Crooked River National Grassland

Mammals

Bats

Bats are the only flying mammals. On a warm spring or summer evening these creatures can be seen flying about looking for flying insects such as mosquitos. There are thirteen species of bats that occur in central Oregon. California Myotis, Western Small-footed Myotis, Long-eared Myotis, Little Brown Myotis, Long-legged Myotis, Yuma Myotis, Hoary Bat, Silver-haired Bat, Big Brow Bat, Pallid Bat, and Townsend's Big-eared Bat can be found in central Oregon. Most bats are insectivorous, some are fruit eaters, and others play important roles as pollinators. In the colder climate of the high desert many bats will seek refuge in a cave or other sheltered area for hibernation during the winter months when insects are not present. Since bats will permanently vacate an area disturbed by man it is important to leave roosting areas undisturbed.

The following bats are found in Central Oregon:

Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)

RANGE: Coast to coast across Canada, the U.S., Mexico and Baja California.

STATUS: Not a protected species

HABITAT: Familiar to more people than any other bat, the big brown bat is associated with man-made structures, and will move into caves for hibernation only during the coldest weather. Big brow bat can be found in many habitats including; mountains, coniferous forests, woodlands, desert scrub, riparian areas, and cities. Big brown bats are greatly appreciated many people, while satisfying it's voracious appetite, big brown bat is reducing insect pests such as mosquitoes.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: The big brown bat needs large open areas over which to forage for insects.

BREEDING: Typically 2 young born in May or June.

FOOD: Beetles, ants, flies, mosquitoes, mayflies, stoneflies, and other insects.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Occurs throughout central Oregon

REFERENCES: Burt 1952. Cstui et al

California Myotis (Myotis californicus)

RANGE: Western North America from southwestern British Columbia to Mexico.

STATUS: Not rare, and secure

HABITAT: A crevice dweller, seems most at home in rock walled canyons where water is readily available and feeding locations near cottonwoods, willow, or poplar trees are nearby. California myotis has been known to roost in any available location after evening foraging. Darkness, shelter from the wind and proximity to foraging area seem to be the determining factors as to where to roost.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Dark, undisturbed sheltered areas such as caves or mine shafts for winter hibernation.

BREEDING: Males and females are separate for much of the year, but come together to breed. One young per breeding female is born in May or June in a nursery colony.

FOOD: Insects associated with water, small flies, midges, leafhoppers, beetles, moths.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Found throughout central Oregon near lakes, ponds, or rivers.

REFERENCES: Burt 1952, Cstui et al, Verts and Carraway

Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus)

RANGE: Most of the U.S. and Canada, into northern Mexico.

STATUS: Not a protected species

HABITAT: A solitary forest dweller that commonly roosts concealed in the foliage of both coniferous and deciduous tree, roosting sites have also been discovered in squirrel nests, cavities in trees, and the sides of buildings

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Openings within the forest for foraging for insects

BREEDING: After arriving at their final northern destination from annual southerly migrations, hoary bats will bear two young, usually in June.

FOOD: Moths, beetles, flies, grasshoppers, termites, dragonflies, mosquitoes, wasps and even an occasional bat.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Occurs throughout all of central Oregon

REFERENCES: Burt 1952, Cstui et al

Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus)

RANGE: Coast to coast throughout most of the U.S. and Canada.

STATUS: Not rare, and secure

HABITAT: Closely associated with water, little brown bat commonly can be found near streams, rivers, lakes, or ponds will roost in nearby caves, mine tunnels, hollow trees, and buildings, in summer little brown bat will inhabit hot attics, where nursery colonies of hundreds and even thousands can form.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: These bats require dark, sheltered, undisturbed, mineshafts or caves with high humidity for hibernation.

BREEDING: Breeding occurs in the fall or winter, 1-2 young are born, May-July, little brown bat will establish maternal colonies of up to 30,000, usually maternal colonies number around 800-1,000 bats in a warm location such as an attic.

FOOD:Various insects associated with riparian areas, gnats, beetles, wasps, crane flies and moths

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Found in moist riparian areas in Central Oregon, as this bat is associated with water.

REFERENCES: Burt 1952, Cstui et al, Barbour et al

Long-eared Myotis (Myotis evotis)

RANGE: South western Canada, south through western U.S. to Mexico.

STATUS: Rare or uncommon, a sensitive species in the state of Oregon

HABITAT: Most common in dense coniferous forests, and desert scrubland, if suitable nesting areas are available. Long-eared myotis will emerge late in the evening to forage among openings in dense coniferous forests, or over willow covered creeks. Roosting sites include, under tree bark, around buildings, hollow trees, and occasionally caves.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: This bat is associated with forests, and forest edges, most of this species migrate out of the state during the winter months and the remaining bats depend on caves for hibernation.

BREEDING: One young born in June or July, the young will roost with the females in a maternity roost, which is separate from the male roosting area.

FOOD: Moths constitute the majority of the long-eared moyotis diet, beetles, spiders, small flies, bees, ants, and termites are consumed as well. Long-eared myotis have been known to forage by plucking insects up off of the surface of foliage.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Occurs in forested areas throughout all of central Oregon, more common to the forested areas than the arid desert areas of the state.

REFERENCES: Burt 1952, Cstui et al

Long-legged Myotis (Myotis volans)

RANGE: Western Canada south through western U.S. into Baja California and northern Mexico.

STATUS: Sensitive species in the state of Oregon

HABITAT: Associated with motane coniferous forests, and mixed evergreen woodlands, in arid areas it frequents riparian areas. Long-legged myotis seeks shelter in buildings, crevices in rock ledges, abandoned mines, and caves.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: This species depends on undisturbed caves for winter hibernation.

BREEDING: One young born in June, long-legged myotis can live up to 21 years based on recovery of banded individuals.

FOOD: Moths, spiders, beetles, leafhoppers, termites and various insects

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Occurs in coniferous forests, and riparian habitats throughout central Oregon

REFERENCES: Burt 1952 Cstui et al, Barbour et al, Carraway et al

Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus)

RANGE: Mexico and Baja California north through southwestern U.S. to eastern Oregon and Washington.

STATUS: Species of Concern

HABITAT: Common in arid regions, particularly near water, may also found in open forests. Roosts in colonies in, cliff faces, rock crevices, buildings and trees; forages low, near the ground.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: The pallid bat forages by walking on the ground in search of prey, this puts pallid bat at increased risk for predation

BREEDING: Gives birth to two (sometimes one or three) young born April - June.

FOOD: Flightless arthropods, including Jerusalem crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, and scorpions, even small vertebrates such as lizards and pocket mice have been consumed as this bat has the unique ability to forage by crawling on the ground.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Occurs throughout central Oregon

REFERENCES: Burt 1952 Cstui et al.

Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans)

RANGE: Coast to coast, from southern Canada through all but extreme south of the U.S.

STATUS: Species of Concern

HABITAT: Associated with all coniferous forests, also found on rangelands near riparian areas, and mixed deciduous-coniferous forests. Forests stands with older trees provide more roosting opportunities in bark cracks, so higher densities of this bat may be found in older stands.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: The loss of older age-class forests and snags may threaten this species by removing roosting opportunities.

BREEDING: Typically two young (sometimes one) born in June or July.

FOOD: Moths, termites, flies, ants, beetles, and other insects.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Occurs throughout central Oregon

REFERENCES: Burt 1952 Cstui et al

Townsend's (Western) Big-eared Bat (Plecotus townsendi)

RANGE: South British Columbia through western U.S. to Mexico, and east across Midwestern states.

STATUS: Region 6 Sensitive species.

HABITAT: Desert scrub, Juniper, Ponderosa pine forest are the most common habitats the big-eared bat may be found. Roosting areas include, caves, buildings and mine tunnels.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: This bat is very intolerant of human disturbance at winter hibernacula and summer roosts.

BREEDING: Mating occurs October - February, one young born April - July, in nursery colonies.

FOOD: Insects, especially moths.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Nursery colonies and hibernacula in several caves in Central Oregon.

REFERENCES: Burt 1952 Cstui et al, Harvey et al

Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis)

RANGE: Southwest British Columbia south through the western U.S. into Mexico and Baja California.

STATUS: A species of special concern

HABITAT: Open water nearby seems to be the number one habitat requirement for yuma myotis. Caves, tunnels or buildings in arid regions, provide night roosting areas; in western Oregon it frequents older Douglas-fir forests, Sitka spruce forests, and oak and Ponderosa pine woodlands.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Yuma myotis needs disturbance free habitat such as caves or mines for maternal colonies, if disturbed during this sensitive period the bats will abandon the area, and many young will be lost.

BREEDING: In May or June, Yuma myotis will bear one young

FOOD: Moths, midges, flies, and termites, various other soft-bodied insects are consumed as well.

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Occurs throughout central Oregon in suitable habitat near water.

REFERENCES: Burt 1952, Cstui et al Harvey et al

Western Small-footed Myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum)

RANGE: Occurs throughout western North America, in Oregon occurs in Deschutes,Crook, Jefferson, Wasco, Hood, Grant, Malheur, Wallowa counties

STATUS: A species of special concern

HABITAT: Seems to prefer arid habitats, although will hunt above water when not in association with California bat, associated with cliff faces, rocky crevices, will retreat under bark or barns after foraging.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Western small-footed myotis depends upon dark, sheltered, undisturbed, caves, or mine shafts for maternal roosting or hibernation.

BREEDING: Bats breed in autumn, the females store the sperm until the following spring and the young, usually one per year, are born per each female.

FOOD: Small insects-flies, beetles, and moths

IN CENTRAL OREGON: Occurs throughout central Oregon

REFERENCES: Harvey et.al. 1999, Cstui et al