allen's big-eared bat (Mammals of Chiricahua NM)

allen's big-eared bat

Idionycteris phyllotis

Summary ¹

Allen's big-eared bat (Idionycteris phyllotis) is a species of vesper bat. It occurs in Mexico and in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah in the United States.

Description ²

"As with other big-eared bats, the huge ears of Allen's big-eared bat can be curled back along the sides of the neck so they resemble the horns of a ram. When its ears are tucked out of the way in this manner, one of the cartilage folds of the ear (the tragus) remains erect and may actually look like a small ear, which can make it hard to identify a roosting bat. Few have been observed in their roosts; most information about them comes from bats that were netted while they were flying. These versatile bats adapt their flight patterns and sound emissions (echolocation calls) to varying terrains. They are capable of straight, direct flight, but can also fly slowly, maneuver well, and even hover, so they can forage in and among tree branches. They mostly eat small moths but also take other insects."

Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account