The western small-footed myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum) rears its young in cliff-face crevices, erosion cavities, and beneath rocks on the ground. Some females care for their pups alone, while others form small groups. These bats can also be found hibernating in caves or mines, but little else is known about them; they are among America's least-studied animals.

Eastern and western species of small-footed myotis are distinct but closely related. The western species ranges from southwestern Canada to western Oklahoma and central Mexico. It is easily confused with the California myotis (M. californicus).

Photo by Merlin D. Tuttle