Saturday, July 5, 2014

Found: One Small, Lethargic Bat

We discovered a lone bat on the ground today, under the oaks near Mountain Meadow Road. It is quite tiny (under 2 inches in body length, excluding the tail) and seemed lethargic (no surprise, as it would normally be hidden in a roost at this time of the day). I photographed it and then we relocated it to the interior of a large manzanita bush for the time being. I checked on it about a half hour ago, and it was hanging upside down in a "healthy-looking" posture (for a bat) in the manzanita. We were highly cautious in its handling in case it was rabid.

Perhaps California Myotis or Long-legged Myotis? Any bat experts are welcome to help with identification!