Data Sheet

Diet: Eastern Small-footed Bats feed primarily on flies and moths, though studies have also found spiders, crickets, and ants in their diet. They have short, broad wings and capture prey both in the air and from the ground.

Fun Fact: Individuals in the wild are estimated to live between 6 to 12 years. 

Appearance: glossy chestnut brown fur, black face and wings, very small feet (less than 2 cm in length), weighs around 4 – 5 grams. 

Habitat: This species is among the rarest in the United States and not much is known about its habitat. During the summers, they roost in rock fields and talus slopes, favoring areas with high sun exposure. Colonies are also occasionally found in stone buildings and bridges. 

Eastern Small-footed Bats hibernate during the winter in caves or crevices. In parts of the Northeastern United States, they become active during mild winter weather (12 °C, ~ 50 °F).

Echolocation: They produce high-frequency echolocation calls between 42 – 55 kHz, similar to other Myotis species (like the Little Brown Bat), to locate objects by reflecting sound. 

Conservation Concerns: Eastern Small-footed Bats appear to be less vulnerable to White-nose Syndrome than other hibernating bat species, despite early concerns about the impact of the disease. The US Fish and Wildlife Service determined that federal listing of the species as endangered was not warranted in 2013. Primary conservation concerns include habitat destruction and alteration and human disturbance during hibernation.

Bat Conservation International’s Conservation Projects including the Eastern Small-footed Bat:

• North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)
• White Nose Syndrome Research
• Abandoned Mines and Subterranean Habitats
• Conservation of Public Lands

Additional Resources:

• Bat Species of the World
• IUCN Red List
• White-nose Syndrome.org

Written by Alyson Brokaw
Updated June 2021