Cave Myotis

Scientific Name: Myotis velifer

Photo taken by Dr. J. Scott Altenbach

Description:The cave myotis (Myotis velifer) is 94 mm in length and weighs about 12 grams. The males are slightly smaller than females. Their color ranges from gray-brown to a dense dark brown with the skin on the face being pinkish.

Distribution: Map of Cave Myotis in TX

About the Cave Myotis: The cave myotis is an insectivorous bat, meaning they eat insects, that usually ‘roosts’ or stays in caves or tunnels. They like to stay in groups numbering in the thousands. They hibernate during the winter, often in Central Texas caves, but also in gypsum caves throughout the Panhandle of Texas. This bat likes to return to the same caves every year to hibernate and raise their young. Each year one bat pup is born per female.

Status: Least Concern
For more information go to the IUCN Red List Website for the Cave Myotis

For more information about this bat go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Cave Myotis Fact Sheet