Tri-colored Bat
- Scientific Name
- Perimyotis subflavus
- Also Known As
- Tricolored Bat, Eastern Pipistrelle
- Range
- All of Florida
- Diet
- Bmosquitoes, Beetles, Ants, Moths
- Life Expectancy
- 12 - 13 Year
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The Tri-colored Bat in Central Florida
The tri-colored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) is a small vesper bat species found throughout much of eastern North America. As its name suggests, the fur of tri-colored bats displays three different colors: dark shoulders contrasting with brown back fur and olive to tan fur on the underside.
This unique looking bat plays an important role in controlling insect pests, yet also faces conservation threats from human disturbance and white-nose syndrome fungus. Read on to learn identification tips, biology, ideal habitat conditions, and prevention methods for the tri-colored bat in Central Florida.
Appearance and Identification
Tri-colored bats can be identified by their distinctive tricolored fur and small size compared to other Florida bat species
The tri-colored bat is smaller than the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) and Seminole bat (Lasiurus seminolus) with less red-toned fur than the evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis). Identifying key features like the tri-colored fur and blunt tragus helps distinguish them.
Maturation Rate
Newborns open their eyes at around 6 to 8 days old. Nursing continues for 4 to 5 weeks until weaning, when the pup becomes independent. Sexual maturity is reached by their first autumn around 2 to 3 months old. Most adult body mass is achieved by 60 days after birth. The fast maturation enables a single litter each year.