# Silver-haired Bat

*Lasionycteris noctivagans*

Unlike many other bat species, Silver-haired bats rarely use caves, choosing instead to roost almost exclusively under the loose bark of mature trees.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Chiroptera › Vespertilionidae › Lasionycteris
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** forest
- **Habitat:** Temperate coniferous and deciduous forests, typically near streams, ponds, or other water sources.
- **Diet:** Insectivorous, feeding primarily on moths, beetles, flies, and mosquitoes.
- **Range:** United States, Canada, Northern Mexico
- **Size:** Length: 9-11.5 cm, Wingspan: 27-31 cm, Weight: 8-12 g
- **Lifespan:** Up to 12 years
- **Active:** nocturnal
- **Threats:** Wind turbine mortalities, deforestation, and loss of mature roosting trees.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless but defensive. Do not handle bats with bare hands due to the risk of rabies. If a bat is found grounded, use thick leather gloves or a container to gently move it to safety, or contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. If bitten or scratched, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek prompt medical care.

## About

The silver-haired bat ( Lasionycteris noctivagans ) is a solitary migratory species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae and the only member of the genus Lasionycteris .

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/816fac65-79c4-4999-90c0-f2f1059337f9
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/40629
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasionycteris noctivagans
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/630644917/medium.jpg (Kalvin Chan, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.