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| Distribution |
In NC, ranges over nearly all of the Coastal Plain, and barely to the eastern edge of the Piedmont. There is also a record for the extreme southwestern mountains (Clay County).
Only in the southeastern quadrant of the country, north to VA and IL, and south to the Gulf Coast. |
| Abundance |
Rare to uncommon, but widespread, in the Coastal Plain, and very rare at best along the eastern Piedmont and southwestern mountains. As late as 1990, it was known from only a few sites in the state, but recent mist-netting efforts have shown that it is not overly rare in the state and is found over most (if not nearly all) of the Coastal Plain. Though more widespread in the Coastal Plain than previously thought, there is no indication that populations are actually increasing, and it remains on the State Special Concern list. The current State Rank of S2, assigned by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program, was likely assigned 20 or more years ago, and with much more known about its range in the state now, a revised rank of S2S3, if not S3, seems warranted now (2022). |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
Generally hibernates in winter, but may be briefly active on mild winter days, as there are now a number of midwinter mist-net records. |
| Habitat |
Almost always near fresh water, such as rivers, large creeks, and lakes, near forested areas. Favored habitats are swamps and bottomlands.
See also Habitat Account for Coastal Plain Wet-Hydric Forests |
| Behavior |
Roosts in the warmer months in hollow trees, old buildings, under bridges, and at other sheltered sites. In winter, hollow trees or buildings are preferred roosting sites, where they occur in small colonies. |
| Comments |
This is still another bat species that has been considered for Federal listing, though not for White Nose Syndrome reasons, but mostly for loss of bottomland forests through logging and other human activities. The considerable use of mist nets has greatly improved our knowledge of distribution and abundance in the state. Webster et al. (1985) had only two county records -- Wake and Pender -- but we are now aware of records for at least 29 counties! |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
S2 [S2S3] |
| State Status |
SC |
| Global Rank |
G4 |
| Federal Status |
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| subspecies |
Myotis austroriparius austroriparius |
| other_comName |
Southeastern Myotis |
| synonym |
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