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Photo Copyright Bat Photography LLC
Northern Hoary Bat
Lasiurus cinereus
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G3G4
State (S-rank): S4B
External links
Species range
Hoary bats are one of the most widely distributed bats across the Americas. It’s found throughout most of the United States and Canada, parts of Central America, and widely across many countries in South America. Though most commonly associated with forests in Utah, hoary bats have large movement and migration patterns that contribute to additional occupancy in non-forest habitats such as canyons, desert springs, and riparian corridors. Hoary bats are strong, fast fliers, with long-distance migrations timed with resource availability and seasonal temperature changes.
Ecology
Hoary bats are typically solitary, tree-roosting species, relying on mature coniferous and deciduous forests. In Utah, they are associated with mixed-conifer and aspen forests at high elevations, dense pinyon-juniper forests, and cottonwood corridors in riparian habitat. Their diet is primarily composed of moths, but the species also preys on beetles, crickets, and other insects (Valdez & Cryan 2013).
Threats or limiting factors
The greatest threat to hoary bats is the risk of collisions with wind turbines, especially during migration. Another threat includes loss of roosting habitat due to urban, recreational, energy, mining, and transportation development. Increased fire severity and frequency also contribute to loss of habitat. Declines in insect abundance due to pesticide use, invasive species, drought, and other pollutants also pose a threat to hoary bats.
