Gray Bat
(Myotis grisescens)

Description: A small bat which uses caves that are normally located within one mile of a river or reservoir. Gray bats use warm caves in the summer where they establish maternal and bachelor colonies. In the winter they relocate and hibernate in a few small cold caves The gray bat has a wingspread of about 11-12 inches and is uniformly dark gray. Gray bats are insect eaters and often hunt and feed over water.

Forestry Considerations: Gray bats can be adversely affected by forestry operations if their roost sites are disturbed or if wooded corridors that provide them with cover on nightly flights between roosting and feeding sites are removed. Caves that are inhabited by gray bats should be protected by leaving a buffer of undisturbed vegetation around their entrances. Wooded travel corridors between roosting and foraging sites should also be protected. Also, the use of herbicides and pesticides in areas adjacent to foraging and roost sites should be carefully controlled and monitored for unanticipated adverse effects.

Distribution by County: Known from the following Alabama counties: Calhoun, Colbert, DeKalb, Jackson, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Monroe, Morgan, and Shelby. Also sighted in Conecuh County and suspected in other south Alabama counties.

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