PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Global Rank	State Rank	Federal Status	WI Status	Animal Group

Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus)

State Status: THR

Federal Status: none

State Rank: S2S4

Global Rank: G3G4

Wildlife Action Plan: SGCN

Photo by WDNR Staff

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) is a Threatened species in Wisconsin. Its dorsal fur is a glossy dark brown to olive-brown color with a lighter ventral side. The little brown bat is insectivorous and feeds on aquatic soft-bodied insects and is found roosting in warm microclimates provided by tree snags, bat houses, and buildings during the summer, where females may form large colonies. It forages primarily over open water and along edge habitat. Little brown bats hibernate in caves and mines from October through April. Mating occurs in the fall, and females store sperm until emergence in the spring. Usually one pup is born in early-June and matures in six weeks. See the species guidance document for avoidance measures and management guidance from the Natural Heritage Conservation Program.

Wildlife Action Plan

Associated Natural Communities and Ecological Landscapes

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Issues/Threats and Conservation Actions

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.

PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus)

Rare Species & Natural Communities

Additional Resources

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