Townsend's Big-eared Bat
(Corynorhinus townsendii)
Townsend's Big-eared Bat
The Townsend’s big-eared bat has been
found in almost every part of Montana.
Caves and abandoned mines are used for
maternity roosts and hibernacula. Habitats
in the vicinity of roosts include fi r and
pine, sagebrush scrub, and cottonwood
bottomland. Conservation concerns include:
vandalism to maternity colonies and
hibernacula; abandoned mine closures;
and degradation or loss of native riparian
vegetation. Conservation strategies include:
identifying maternity colonies and
hibernacula; closing of caves and mines
to recreationalists; installing bat-friendly
gates to coal mines instead of closure; and
maintaining or improving the condition of
riparian vegetation in bat foraging areas.
