Little Brown Bat (Yukon Species of Conservation Concern Guide)

Little Brown Bat

Myotis lucifugus

Conservation Concern ³

Description ³

The Little Brown Myotis is likely the most common bat species in Canada. Yukoners will probably recognize these bats because they often use buildings as day-roosts and forage in open areas, such as over lakes. Maternal colonies have been studied in the communities of Whitehorse, Watson Lake, and Haines Junction.

Typical Habitat ³

Little Brown Myotis are not yet known to hibernate in Yukon. Individuals arrive in late April and leave through September. They roost in buildings, rock crevices, tree cavities, and under tree bark within the boreal forest zone, usually close to water.

Potential Threats ³

White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is caused by a fungal pathogen (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) that likely was brought from Europe and was rst recorded in US in 2006 and in Canada in 2010. Since then, population declines of more than 90% in northeastern US and 94% in eastern Canada have been reported. Mixing of bats during autumn swarming events and transmission by people may help spread WNS across the species’ range. Rate of spread has averaged 200-250 km/ yr and WNS is predicted to infect the entire Canadian range by 2026- 2030. Other threats include wind turbines, colony eradication due to public concerns, and other conflicts and disturbances.

Did You Know? ³

Little Brown Myotis can live up to 34 years (the oldest known in Yukon is 12 years). The colonies in Yukon are some of the most northerly occurring bats in North America. They weigh about as much as a toonie. For more information on Yukon bats: www.env.gov.yk.ca/publications- maps/documents/yukonbats_ brochure.pdf

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Range Map

iNaturalist.ca Map

Animal	Mammal
Mammal	Bat (Chiroptera)
Color	brown

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Little Brown Bat

Conservation Concern 3

Description 3

Typical Habitat 3

Potential Threats 3

Did You Know? 3