hairy-legged myotis

About the hairy-legged myotis

The hairy-legged myotis (Myotis keaysi) is a species of mouse-eared bat. It is found from southern Tamaulipas in Mexico, through much of Central America and across northern South America as far east as Trinidad. Further south, it is found along the foothills of the Andes as far south as northern Argentina.

Originally identified in 1914 as a subspecies of red myotis, and later as a subspecies of black myotis, it was raised to full species status in 1973. Two subspecies are currently recognised: Myotis keaysi keaysi - Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, south-western Colombia

Myotis keaysi pilosatibialis - western Colombia, northern Venezuela, Trinidad, Central America, southern and eastern Mexico The hairy-legged myotis is a small bat, measuring just 4 to 5 centimetres (1.6 to 2.0 in) in total length, and weighing about 5 grams (0.18 oz). The body is covered with long, sometimes woolly, fur, which varies from greyish to reddish brown in colour. The common name refers to the presence of thick fur on the legs and on the upper surface of the uropatagium, the flight membrane stretching between the legs. Although other, related bats, also have fur on this membrane, it is... Wikipedia →