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Home > Coniferous Forest Animals > Big Brown Bat

Big Brown Bat

Big brown bats are the largest and most common among other bats found in the United States. Although males and females are similar in appearance, females are a bit larger than males. It derives its name because of its large size – almost more than double the size of little brown bats.

Big Brown Bat Range

Big Brown Bat Range

Big Brown Bat

Big Brown Bat

Scientific Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassMammalia
OrderChiroptera
FamilyVespertilionidae
GenusEptesicus
Scientific NameEptesicus fuscus
Big Brown Bats

Big Brown Bats

Quick Information

SubspeciesE. f. fuscus
E. f. pallidus
Size4-5 in (10-13 cm); tail length about 3-5.5 cm
Wingspan11-13 in (28-33 cm)
Weight14-25 gm
ColorShiny brown fur; face, feet, ears and wings are dark brown to blackish;

offspring are darker and much dull in color compared to adults

DistributionNorth America, Central America, Southern Canada, some islands of Caribbean, northernmost South America
HabitatForest areas, open fields, along rivers and streams, hollow trees and caves; also in industrial areas and human inhabited places
SoundSqueaking calls and hissing sounds
Number of offspringOne or two pups each year
Gestation PeriodAround two months
Lifespan 19 or 20  years in the wild; usually males live longer than females
DietInsectivorous, feeding on beetles, flies, moths, wasps, mosquitoes, dragonflies, leafhoppers, lacewings and other flying insects
PredatorsOwls, snakes, cats, raccoons and falcons
IUCN Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Big Brown Bat Teeth

Big Brown Bat Teeth

Big Brown Bat Pictures

Big Brown Bat Pictures

Behavior

They are nocturnal creatures like other bats and start foraging in early evening. The big brown bats hibernate during winter. At the end of the period of inactivity, they forage during warm nights but.

Mating and reproduction

The mating takes place during autumn or winter and sometimes in early spring with fertilization occurring in spring. The female usually gives birth to one or two pups between May and July.

Big Brown Bat Pup

Big Brown Bat Pup

Baby Big Brown Bat

Baby Big Brown Bat

Life Cycle

The pups are born blind and have no fur, with their eyes opening on the second day. The females take care of the babies. By the end of three to five weeks, the young ones are able to fly and by the end of two and a half months, they become adult. Many juvenile big brown bats do not survive the first winter due to their inability to store enough fat for hibernation.

Big Brown Bat Images

Big Brown Bat Images

Big Brown Bat Flying

Big Brown Bat Flying

Interesting Facts

  • They can fly at a speed of 40 miles per hour, migrating large distances. (#8)
  • Their eyesight is poor but, that does not deter them from searching for food as they make use of echolocation.
  • By feeding on insects, they contribute to a large extent in checking the balance of the ecosystem through pest control.

References:

  1. http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Eptesicus_fuscus/
  2. https://www.nps.gov/shen/learn/nature/big-brown-bat.htm
  3. https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/bats/Big%20Brown%20Bat.php
  4. https://dnr.wi.gov/files/pdf/pubs/er/er0707.pdf

Published on August 9th 2016 by Sajal Datta under Coniferous Forest Animals.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2024.

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