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| Distribution |
In NC, it is essentially restricted to the mountains, with most records from the southern half of the region. There is a specimen record for Davidson County, well into the Piedmont; it likely was a migrant or stray that far to the east. Two specimens for Wake County (in 1981) probably relate to the Northern Long-eared Bat, though these two records are currently listed in the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences collection database as M. leibii [Eastern Small-footed Bat].
A fairly small range, as it was recently split from the Small-footed Bat/Myotis; ranges from southeastern Canada southward down the Appalachians and west to the Ozarks. |
| Abundance |
Moderate decline over its entire range due to White Nose Syndrome. Formerly (prior to about 1990) thought to be quite rare in NC, but in recent years, with more mist-netting and cave surveys, it is better considered as rare to uncommon, at least in the southern half of the mountains. There has been some loss to the fungal disease in the state, but the species does roost in rock crevices, under bridges, and in small spaces between concrete slabs on bridges; thus, it is not limited to caves, where the White Nose Syndrome is prevalent. It is listed as a State Special Concern species. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
Apparently non-migratory. Hibernates in winter. |
| Habitat |
In the warmer months, it roosts mainly in trees, but at times in buildings; in winter, it roosts in caves or in other rock crevices. It forages at night over forests. Recently, some individuals have been seen roosting under bridges or in narrow spaces/gaps in the concrete in bridges. |
| Behavior |
Webster et al. (1985) state that it is "the last species of Myotis to enter torpor and the first to become active in the spring". Though a cave-roosting species, it occurs only in small colonies, especially in NC, and seldom are more than 5-10 individuals seen at any given place in the state. |
| Comments |
This species and the Western Small-footed Bat (M. ciliolabrum) were until recently considered as the same species -- named M. leibii in some references and M. subulatus in others. As with most other cave-dwelling bats, White Nose Syndrome has hit this species fairly hard, and there was a proposal to Federally list it as Endangered or Threatened. However, on October 2, 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stated in the Federal Register that the species did not merit Federal listing, based on its status review. |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
S2 |
| State Status |
SC |
| Global Rank |
G4 |
| Federal Status |
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| subspecies |
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| other_comName |
Small-footed Bat, Small-footed Myotis, Eastern Small-footed Myotis |
| synonym |
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