- Scientific Name
- Myotis melanorhinus
- Family
- Vespertilionidae
- Global Conservation Status (IUCN)
- Least Concern
- Region
- Oklahoma, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Canada, British Columbia, North America, USA, Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado
- Diet
- Insectivore
Dark-nosed small-footed myotis feed on a variety of insects, including moths, beetles, flies, and caddisflies.
Fun Fact: Genetics and species classification in the Myotis genus are confusing! The dark-nosed small-footed myotis is sometimes considered a subspecies of the Western small-footed myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum).
Appearance: dark-nosed small-footed myotis are small, weighing between 3 – 5 grams. They have pale yellow fur on their back, with lighter, buffy colored bellies. Their nose and chin are black, forming a dark colored face mask.
Habitat: Like Western small-footed bats, dark-nosed small-footed bats are thought to be relatively solitary, roosting individually or in small groups. Habitat preferences vary across their range but include pine and juniper forests and dry deserts.
They roost in rock crevices, caves, and tunnels. They hibernate during the winter, usually in mines or caves.
Conservation Concerns: Due to the shifting taxonomic classification, relatively little is known about this species. More research is needed to accurately assess population threats to this species. It is possible that this species could be affected by white-nose syndrome due to their hibernation habits.
Bat Conservation International Projects including the dark-nosed small-footed myotis:
- North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)
- White Nose Syndrome Research
- Abandoned Mines and Subterranean Habitats
- Conservation of Public Lands