Southeastern myotis

Southeastern myotis bats forage low over water — ponds, swamps, slow rivers — catching insects close to the surface. By day they roost in caves, culverts, the undersides of bridges, hollow trees such as tupelos, and buildings.

Where caves are available, especially in Florida, females gather in large maternity colonies that can number in the thousands. Elsewhere, including much of Georgia, colonies are smaller and scattered in hollow trees and structures. They do not hibernate as deeply as northern bats, and in the South they may be active on mild winter nights.

Because they hunt so close to the water, southeastern myotis bats feed heavily on insects that emerge from it, including mosquitoes and midges, and they are part of the link between swamp water and the forest around it.

They are also unusual among North American myotis bats in regularly giving birth to twins, and they were confirmed in 2017 as one of the species affected by white-nose syndrome.

Mating — autumn, with fertilisation delayed until spring
Birth — late April and May, usually two pups
Nursing — pups are left clustered in the roost while mothers feed
Flight — at about five to six weeks old
Independence — by early summer
Lifespan — not well recorded in the wild

• Bridge and culvert repairs in spring and summer can harm maternity colonies; bats should be checked for before work begins.
• Caves used by colonies should not be entered while bats are present.
• Protecting hollow trees in swamp forests keeps natural roosts.
• Never handle a bat with bare hands; bats are rabies vector species.

• Bats under a bridge are a nuisance to be moved on. They are hunting the insects that breed in the water below.
• All small brown bats are the same species. Several look alike; this one is woolly-furred and southern.
• Bats that live in caves never leave them. Southeastern myotis bats move between caves, trees, bridges and buildings.

• Little brown bat
• Gray bat
• Tricolored bat
• Evening bat