Corynorhinus

Townsend - long ear ( Corynorhinus townsendii )

The American long-eared bats ( Corynorhinus ) are a genus within the suborder of bats and the family of Myotis bats ( Vespertilionidae ) are assigned. They are closely related to the ( Old World ) Long-eared bats ( Plecotus ) and are sometimes placed in the same genus.

These bats reach a head -body length of 45 to 70 mm, a tail length of 35 to 55 mm and a weight of 5 to 20 grams. Their fur is brown in color, the underside is slightly lighter than the top. Named giving their characteristics are up to 40 millimeters long ears, which have numerous lateral grooves and are joined at the ear root.

American long-eared bats are native to North America and in Mexico, they live in different habitats, but usually in wooded areas. When resting places serve them empty buildings and caves. They sleep in groups of several dozen to a thousand animals, in most colonies, the females have a severely overweight. At night, they go in search of food. Their flight is slow, but they can just stay in one place in the air to pick their prey from leaves or walls. Their food consists entirely of insects.

During the winter, these animals have a short hibernation. Mating occurs in the winter quarters, but fertilization takes place only in warmer weather, so that the gestation period from 56 to 100 days may vary. In April-June is a single young is born, which is weaned after two months.

There are three types:

• The Townsend - long ear ( Corynorhinus townsendii ) lives in southwestern Canada, the western United States and Mexico to Oaxaca. She lives in both dry desert areas and in forests.
• The Mexican long-eared bat ( Corynorhinus mexicanus ) is used in almost all of Mexico. Your preferred habitat are higher altitude forests.
• The Rafinesque - long-eared bat ( Corynorhinus rafinesquii ) is in the eastern United States to find (from Indiana and Missouri to the east ).