Kansas Mammal Atlas

Distribution:
The western small-footed myotis occurs in western North America from southern Canada in the north to central Mexico in the south. In Kansas, this species has been found only in Cheyenne, Gove, Logan, and Trego counties, all in the west.
Fossils identified as this species were reported from a late Pleistocene cave deposit in Wyoming.

(, Museum Voucher) (, Observation) (, Literature Record)
Open icons are questionable records; Click on a marker to view details.

• Occurrence Summary:  
• 42 Total Records 
• 42 Museum Vouchers 
• 0 Other Observations 

Some county occurrences indicated below may be too imprecise to map above.
County Breakdown: County Name (# occurrences):
Cheyenne (1); Gove (16); Logan (15); Trego (10);

Natural History:
The natural history of the western small-footed myotis is poorly known. It seems to be a highly specialized "saxicolous" species, which means it roosts almost exclusively in rock crevices, caves, and tunnels, although occasional individuals are found in abandoned swallow nests, under loose pine bark, under bridges, or in abandoned buildings. In Kansas, it roosts are in bluffs and badlands associated with the Niobrara Formation and in canyon walls consisting of compacted Pleistocene loess. Many roost sites have been found by paleontologists searching for fossils. In Kansas and elsewhere, most localities of record for this species are in desert, badland, or semiarid habitats. The species is thought to be migratory (all records from Kansas are for the period May through September), but where they go is not known. Researchers in other states have reported individuals hibernating in cracks, crevices, and caves near their summer roosts. These bats are slow, highly maneuverable fliers as they seek flying insects. Not much else is known about this species.
Adults may attain the following dimensions: total length 80-99 mm; length of tail 37-49 mm; length of hind foot 6-9 mm; length of ear 12-16 mm; weight 3.3-5.9 g. Longevity in this species evidently has not been documented.
The diet of the western small-footed myotis is poorly known. Moths, beetles, flies, and caddisflies have been found in the guts of the few specimens thus far studied. All these prey presumably are taken on the wing relatively close to the ground.
Predation on this species has not been documented.
Because of its rarity, little is known about reproduction in this species. It generally gives birth to a single young, although one apparent case of twins has been reported. Young are born in June or July. Females with young generally roost alone by day, although a few small maternity colonies have been found.

Occurrence Activity:

Remarks:
Studies conducted in other states suggest that this bat species is declining. To prevent this from happening in Kansas, this bat should be added to the list of SINC species.
The nomenclatural history of this species is complex, the names Myotis subulatus and Myotis leibii having been applied to this bat in the past. The subspecific name for populations that occur in Kansas is Myotis ciliolabrum ciliolabrum.

Bibliography:

Account Last Updated:
8/21/2018 7:54:47 PM