Bat of the Week: Fringed Myotis

Better delve into the small Myotis species. Unfortunately I did not get to see this species last summer in Utah. But I saw a few in Mesa Verde.

Name: Myotis thysanodes
Common name: Fringed Myotis
Merut's diagnostic characteristics:
- Long, pointed tragus
- Long blackish ears
- Short stiff hairs along the edge of the uropatagium (tail membrane) i.e. the fringe

Merut's reaction: I hope it is a fringed and not a long-eared bat. It is! Yay!


Merut's experience: These bats are not very common. In Utah they are considered a sensitive species, or species of concern. They look very similar to the more common Long-Eared Myotis. For a while, this bat gave me a hard time with identification. Long-eared Myotis also has some faint and sparse hairs on their uropatagium. Thus I went through a phase where I would identify Long-eared as Fringed Myotis. However, as soon as I saw a Fringed Myotis, I realized how easy it is to see their fringe. As far as bats are concerned, it they smaller and calmer than a lot of other species. They are adorable, and provide an unexpected pick-me-up. I kept hoping to see one in Utah last summer, but each time it was a Long-eared Myotis instead. Boo hoo.

Other notes:
- Weighs about 5-7 grams
- Wingspan of about 27-32 inches
- Ear length 16-20 mm
- Most common in oak and pinon woodlands
- Produce one pup

Some of the data taken from Bats of the Rocky Mountain West by Rick A. Adams