Winter Use of a Rock Crevice by Northern Long-Eared Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) in Nebraska

Abstract

We used a combination of acoustic detectors, thermal imaging cameras, and mist netting to confirm the use of a rock crevice by northern long-eared myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) in winter in northeastern Nebraska. Bats roosted in a large crevice in a rock face along the Missouri River, and 5 individuals were captured emerging from the opening of the crevice in March 2017. Our study is the first to confirm the use of a rock-crevice hibernaculum by M. septentrionalis and adds to the growing literature on the winter use of rock crevices by hibernating bats in North America. As white-nose syndrome (WNS) continues to spread across North America and decimate populations of M. septentrionalis, more knowledge of hibernation requirements is necessary to develop an effective recovery plan and to monitor this threatened species.