Hamilton Wildlife Removal: Where is the Little Brown Bat in Canada?

The Little Brown Bat is one of the species that are most likely to roost in buildings, meaning it is one of the bat species that you are likely to encounter in a home or business. Due to a number of factors, including a fungal infection called white-nose syndrome, Little Brown Bat numbers are dwindling, and it is in danger of becoming extinct in parts of Canada. For this reason, humane bat removal by trained professionals is of crucial importance. Find out more about this fascinating and important species.

What Do Little Brown Bats Look Like?

As implied by the name, the body of the Little Brown Bat is covered with fur that can range in colour from dark brown to pale tan. The fur appears long and shaggy and is lighter in colour on its underside. The wings and ears are darker in colour without the long fur. The Little Brown Bat is distinguished from the Big Brown Bat primarily by its size. The Little Brown Bat has a wingspan of about 25 centimetres and weighs up to nine grams. The Big Brown Bat has a wingspan of up to 35 centimetres and can weigh up to 26 grams, nearly three times the weight of the Little Brown Bat.

Where Is the Little Brown Bat in Canada?

Though their actual numbers are decreasing, the Little Brown Bat maintains the widest distribution in Canada of any native bat species. Out of all the provinces and territories, Nunavut is the only one where Little Brown Bats are not found in the wild. While they don't live on the Arctic tundra, they do live right along its southern edge. They also live in all different forest types and a wide variety of habitats, including urban areas.

Where Do Little Brown Bats Roost?

Little Brown Bats do not migrate to warmer areas for the winter. However, they make roosts in different places during the winter and summer months. They are capable of travelling up to 1,000 kilometres to travel between their two seasonal roosts. During the winter, they move to areas of stable temperatures and high humidity to hibernate, such as caves and mines. Little Brown Bats are gregarious, meaning that they live together in large groups. In the spring, pregnant females gather together, up to 1,000 individuals at a time, to form maternity colonies. Along with the Big Brown Bat, the Little Brown Bat is a species that actively seeks to make maternity roosts in buildings, which is why you are more likely to encounter them than other bat species.

What Do Little Brown Bats Eat?

Little Brown Bats are insectivores. They are opportunistic feeders, meaning that they will eat whatever insects they can catch. Most often, this means moths, beetles, mosquitoes, and flies. In a single night, a Little Brown Bat can eat half its body weight, which translates to approximately 1,000 insects. A nursing mother can eat as much as her body weight in insects per night. Bats eat greater quantities when they are getting ready to hibernate to increase their body weight so they can live off stored fat during the winter while unconscious. Bats find food using echolocation. They let out a series of high-pitched squeaks and chirps. As the sound waves bounce off insects in their path, bats listen for the resulting echo. Their brains are able to interpret the information they receive from the reflected sound wave to pinpoint the location of their prey. Most of these sounds are well above the normal hearing range for human beings.

Why Is Professional Bat Removal Important?

It is against the law to disturb bats while they are hibernating or caring for offspring. Find out how Skedaddle carries out wildlife control in Hamilton in compliance with applicable laws.