By Rory Hale – REALTOR®, Rural Properties & Acreages near Calgary
The scent of pine and damp earth fills the air as the last rays of sunlight dip below the rugged peaks of the Alberta foothills. I'm on my acreage, the lingering warmth of a campfire a comforting presence, when I see them. Tiny, erratic shadows begin to dart across the fading light, their flight almost silent. These aren't birds; they're the often-misunderstood little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), and tonight, I want to tell you why they're not something to fear, but rather, a vital and fascinating part of our rural landscape.
Our Quiet Neighbours: The Little Brown Bat
These aerial acrobats are surprisingly small. An average little brown bat measures a mere 8-9 cm (3–3.5 inches) long, with a wingspan of 22-27 cm (9–11 inches). They weigh almost nothing, typically 5–14 grams, which is less than a Canadian loonie! Yet, despite their diminutive size, they can live for up to 10 years in the wild, and sometimes even longer in captivity.
You’ll find them thriving in forests, wetlands, and rural areas, especially those close to water sources like ponds, creeks, and rivers. During the day, they prefer to roost in tree cavities, under loose bark, in barns, attics, rock crevices, or even in bat boxes. Their daytime havens are different from their nighttime foraging grounds, allowing them to rest undisturbed before their evening hunt.
.The Seasonal Dance: Hibernation and Migration
Given Alberta’s chilly winters, you might wonder where these delicate creatures go. Little brown bats are hibernators. They gather in communal winter colonies known as hibernacula, often found in caves, abandoned mines, or disused buildings. Here, their body temperature drops to near-freezing, and their metabolism slows dramatically, allowing them to conserve energy through the long, cold months. Some bats will even travel surprisingly long distances, up to 1,000 km, to reach the perfect hibernation spot.
Nature’s Pest Control: What’s on the Menu
These bats are insectivores, meaning their diet consists entirely of insects. And they have quite the appetite! Their menu includes moths, mosquitoes, beetles, midges, wasps, and flies. Think about this: one bat can consume between 600 and 1,000 mosquitoes in just an hour! They are truly nature's answer to pest control, offering a powerful, natural alternative to chemical pesticides, especially valuable for livestock and farm environments.
Beyond Sight: Echolocation and Agile Wings
While the myth persists, bats are not blind. They have perfectly adequate vision, especially in low light conditions. However, their primary method of navigation and hunting in total darkness is through echolocation. They emit high-frequency sounds and then interpret the echoes that bounce back from their surroundings and prey. Their large ears are incredibly sensitive, helping them to detect these subtle sounds.
Their wings are a marvel of evolution, made of thin, flexible skin stretched over elongated arm and finger bones. This unique structure gives them superb agility in flight, allowing them to weave and dart with incredible precision as they chase their insect prey.
A New Generation: Breeding and Life Cycle
The little brown bat’s life cycle is quite fascinating. They mate in late summer or fall, but the female will actually delay fertilization until spring. Typically, she gives birth to just one pup per year, usually in early summer. Mothers often form maternity colonies in warm, protected spots like attics or hollow trees, where they raise their young. The pups grow quickly, are weaned in 3–4 weeks, and can fly independently shortly after..
Debunking the Myths
It's time to set the record straight on some common misconceptions about bats:
Myth: All bats carry rabies.
Fact: Less than 1% of bats are rabid, and those that are tend to die quickly from the disease. You're actually far more likely to be bitten by your own dog than by a rabid bat.
Myth: Bats will fly into your hair.
Fact: Bats possess incredible navigation skills and their echolocation is highly precise. They may swoop close to you if they're chasing an insect, but they absolutely will not intentionally collide with you or get tangled in your hair.
Myth: Bats are dirty.
Fact: On the contrary! Bats are fastidious groomers and spend a good deal of time cleaning themselves. They are clean, delicate creatures.
Why We Need Them: A Vital Role in Our Ecosystem
Beyond controlling mosquito populations (a blessing for anyone enjoying a summer evening outdoors), bats play other crucial roles globally, including as pollinators and seed dispersers. Here in Alberta, they serve as vital indicators of environmental health; a decline in bat populations often signals that an ecosystem is in trouble. Even their guano (droppings) is beneficial, enriching the soil with nitrogen.
Embracing Rural Life with Our Bat Neighbours
Living in the foothills, I've come to cherish the presence of these quiet neighbours. My old barn, with its nooks and crannies, likely hosts a small colony, and the bat box I installed several years ago is hopefully providing a safe haven. Embracing wildlife like the little brown bat is a profound part of what makes rural living so deeply connected to the natural world. They’re a reminder that sometimes, the most overlooked creatures are also the most extraordinary.
If you’re thinking about a move to the foothills — where stars shine brighter, frogs croak louder, and bats dance in the twilight — let’s talk. I know a place or two where the wild things still roam.
