Evening bat
Nycticeius humeralis
Nycticeius humeralis is a bat species from the genus of American noctule, which is native to North America. The name comes from the Greek Nycticeius ( = " the night belonging " ) and the Latin humeralis ( = " on the upper arm " ) together.
Description
Nycticeius humeralis has a hairless nose, pronounced glands on the muzzle, a short, rounded tragus, which is slightly tilted forward, and relatively thick, leathery ears of 11 mm length. The skull is short and broad. The forearm is 34 to 38 mm long, the tail 36 to 41 mm, and the total length is 88 mm to 105 mm. The coat color is brown with a lighter belly. The hair on the back have an ash gray top.
Way of life
Nycticeius humeralis is like most bats nocturnal. The species feeds mainly on beetles, moths and leafhoppers. 14.2% ( in Indiana) - 23.5 % ( in Illinois) of food from Nycticeius humeralis consists of the corn rootworm Diabrotica undecimpunctata, an important pest of agriculture.
During the day you will Nycticeius humeralis in buildings and tree columns, but not in caves. During the winter months Nycticeius humeralis is in the northern distribution area completely absent, suggesting that this species belongs to the migrating bats, which spend the winter in the south. In the autumn the animals eat in preparation for the hike fat reserves. This is the high energy value of fat similar to fat -attracting birds.
The main predators of Nycticeius humeralis are house cats, raccoons and Erdnattern.
Reproduction
Most females are pregnant each with two embryos. In spring, when the young are born, the males separate from the females and head down to the southern area of distribution. The pups are born and raised by the females in so-called mother colonies 25-950 individuals. Within this mother colonies, the females suckle even young animals that are not closely related to them. The exact time of birth varies geographically, with females in Alabama, Florida and Louisiana between mid-May and mid-June to give birth, during the birth takes place in the northern distribution area in June and early July. The young attach themselves immediately after birth to the teat of the mother. They are initially pink and hairless, his eyes are closed. The fur starts to grow at an age of five days, the eyes open as early as 12 to 30 hours after birth. After 20 days, the hatchlings begin first flight tests.
Distribution and habitat
Nycticeius humeralis occurs in the United States from the East Coast to Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, and northeastern Mexico. The species is classified by the IUCN due to the widespread than safely.