Cave myotis

13 years

The dietary habits of cave myotis are primarily insectivorous, consuming a variety of insects. Notably, their diet involves a significant amount of moths and beetles but also includes spiders and other arachnids during the summers.

Cave myotis is a medium-sized bat, with a slender, streamlined body and fur that is considerably dense and short. Its overall color ranges from brown to gray, often with a hint of russet. Notable features include its broad, rounded wings and a rounded tragus in the ear. The tail, nearly as long as the body, is encased within a web of skin. There is no significant visual difference between males and females or different ages.

The cave myotis is insectivorous, primarily feeding on moths. To capture prey it uses echolocation, typically hunting one or two hours after sunset. Due to their larger size and well-adapted wings, the cave myotis may forage further from their roost than other "myotis" bats. When insect populations are low in spring and autumn, they decrease their food consumption. Adult females consume more food than males due to their size. Females also consume more food during lactation and gestation periods. Juveniles are efficient at foraging; they join their adult counterparts aged as young as four weeks. By six to eight weeks, their daily consumption of insects matches that of an adult. Colonies hibernate from mid October until April. Individuals have lifespan of around thirteen years.