The hoary bat (Aeorestes cinereus ) is a species of bat in the vesper bat family, Vespertilionidae. It lives throughout most of North America (possibly including Hawaii, although this is disputed).
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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TorporTorpor is a state of decreased physiological activity in an animal, usually marked by a reduced body temperature and metabolic rate. Torpor enables...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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MigratingAnimal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individual animals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is the most common form of migrati...
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HibernatingHibernation is a state of minimal activity and metabolic depression undergone by some animal species. Hibernation is a seasonal heterothermy charac...
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starts withThe Hoary bat is an insectivorous species of bat that lives in the Americas. Its coat is dense and dark brown, with white tips to the hairs that give the species its 'hoary' appearance for which it is named. The body is covered in fur except for the undersides of the wings.
Hoary bats are found throughout most of North America and much of South America, with disjunct populations in the Galápagos Islands and Hawaii. They live in woodlands, mainly coniferous forests, but hunt over open areas or lakes.
Hoary bats are generally solitary and typically roost alone on trees, hidden in the foliage; however, they may sometimes roost in caves with other bats and form groups during migration and the breeding season. They hunt alone and can cover an impressive 39 km (24 mi) in one night while foraging. Hoary bats are long-distance migrants. They spend the winter in Central America and the southwestern United States and the spring and summer in more northern latitudes in the United States and Canada. However, some northern populations are believed to remain in their native region and hibernate for the winter.
Hoary bats are carnivorous (insectivorous) animals. They feed mainly on moths but also flies, beetles, wasps, and bees, grasshoppers, dragonflies, and termites.
The reproductive cycle of Hoary bats is not yet fully documented. It is thought that they mate in August and births usually occur in June of the following year. It is thought that the gestation period is only 40 days and the female bears a single pup, or sometimes twins. The young are born blind and partially furred, and spend about a month with the mother before dispersing.
Hoary bats are not listed as threatened or endangered, however, they suffer significant mortality from wind turbines. Most bat deaths occur during migration in the spring and fall. It is suggested that bats are attracted to the tall structure, possibly believing them to be trees that can be used for rest. In some areas of their range, Hoary bats also suffer from deforestation and human disturbance.
According to IUCN, the Hoary bat is common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
Hoary bats are important predators of insects in their ecosystem and thus keep populations of their prey species in check.
