The silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans ) is a solitary migratory species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae and the only member of the genus Lasionycteris.
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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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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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CongregatoryCongregatory animals tend to gather in large numbers in specific areas as breeding colonies, for feeding, or for resting.
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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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PolygynandryPolygynandry is a mating system in which both males and females have multiple mating partners during a breeding season.
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SolitaryHi
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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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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starts withThe Silver-haired bat is an insect-eating migratory species of vesper bat. It is predominantly black (including the wings, ears, interfemoral membrane, and fur) with white-tipped hairs. The basal upper half of its tail membrane is densely furred. This gives the bat a frosted appearance and its common name's sake.
Silver-haired bats are found in Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, and the United States. They occur in forests from southeastern Alaska in summer to northeastern Mexico in winter and are found in arid habitats at low elevations during seasonal migrations.
Silver-haired bats are solitary and often roost in tree cavities or in bark crevices on tree trunks, especially during migration. Their unique coloration makes them blend in with their roosting environment. After mating, these bats hibernate alone in tree cavities, bark crevices, beneath leaf litter, or in the twilight zone of caves. However, some individuals seem to overwinter in buildings, which may allow them to spend the winter in places that would otherwise be too cold for them. Silver-haired bats forage by night low, over both still and running water, and also in forest openings. They are slow but maneuverable flyers that typically detect prey a short distance away.
Silver-haired bats are carnivores (insectivores). They eat primarily soft-bodied insects, such as moths, but will also take spiders and harvestmen.
Silver-haired bats have a polygynandrous (promiscuous) mating system; males and females don’t form pairs and have multiple partners. These bats mate during migration and females delay implantation. Gestation typically takes 50-60 days, so the parturition of pups occurs in early summer when insect availability is high. Females usually give birth to two pups and nurse them for approximately 34 to 39 days, when they will be independent. They become reproductively mature and breed between 145 to 160 days of age.
Silver-haired bats suffer from logging and deforestation. They are also one of the three tree bat species most commonly killed at wind energy facilities.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Silver-haired bat total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
