Canyon Bat
Parastrellus hesperus
Summary 7
The western pipistrelle (Parastrellus hesperus), also known as the canyon bat, is a species of vesper bat. It is found in Mexico and in the western United States. The species has historically been placed in the genus Pipistrellus, but molecular evidence does not show any close relationship with that genus, and accordingly it was classified into its own genus, Parastrellus, in 2006.
Description 8
Western pipistrelles sometimes leave their roosts before sundown, and can be mistaken for late-flying butterflies, because they are so tiny and fly slowly and erratically, with much fluttering of their wings. Most common at low elevations in desert scrub and arid grassland habitats, they are also found in adjacent woodlands. Although they range over the arid West, western pipistrelles require a ready source of water—a lake, stream, or even a swimming pool. They—and some shrews—are the smallest mammals in North America, with weights ranging from 2—6 g. In spite of their tiny size, western pipistrelles usually give birth to twins, which are born and raised in small maternity colonies. The largest colony yet found comprised just four female bats and their eight young.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Sources and Credits
- (c) ErinAdventure, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/97055634@N05/8969587059/
- (c) Kenneth Bader, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kenneth Bader
- (c) Glenn and Martha Vargas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://calphotos.berkeley.edu/imgs/512x768/1073_3283/3181/0057.jpeg
- (c) Jason Eckberg, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jason Eckberg
- (c) R.J. Adams, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by R.J. Adams
- (c) brandyconrad, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
- (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parastrellus_hesperus
- (c) Smithsonian Institution, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://eol.org/data_objects/6625427
