Long-legged Myotis

About the Long-legged Myotis

The long-legged myotis (Myotis volans) is a species of vesper bat that can be found in western Canada, Mexico, and the western United States. Myotis volans is a species of bat found in Order Chiroptera, Family Vespertillionidae. They are closely related to Myotis lucifugus (little brown bat) and Myotis thysanodes (fringe-tailed bat). Three sub-species have been identified.

They are the second largest myotis species found in the western United States. They have a wingspan of 10-12 inches and an average body mass of 7.5 grams. Myotis volans is also known as the long-legged myotis due to their longer tibia length compared to other myotis species. Their pelage is light brown to chocolate brown or reddish brown and they have short, rounded ears. When their ears are pushed toward their nose, the tips of their ears just reach their nostrils. Their most distinguishing characteristic is that they have fur on the underside of the wings that extends from their body to their elbows and knees. They have a keel on their calcar. This species does show sexual dimorphism such that females tend to be slightly bigger than males.

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