 formerly known as the eastern pipistrelle, technically an inaccurate classification,http://networkedblogs.com/gyqnt the new more descriptive common name tri-colored bat (perimyotis subflavus) was chosen because of the distinct tri-coloration of each hair, which is black at the base, yellow in the middle and brown at the tips. this species of bat that is widely distributed throughout the eastern parts of america and canada, ranging west until kansas, oklahoma and texas, from honduras up north until southern ontario. it is the only member of the genus perimyotis. == description == this reddish, yellowish and brownish bat is one of the smallest bats in eastern north america. the forearms are orange to red, and the wing membrane is black. adults weigh between 4 to 10&nbsp;g and reach a forearm length of 30 to 35 &nbsp;mm. they are easily distinguished from other similar species by their tri-colored fur. these bats were renamed by dr. paul cryan with the us geological survey == life history == tricolored bats mate in autumn in the area around their hibernacula. the females store their mates' sperm inside their reproductive tracts during their hibernation in winter and ovulate in early spring. they hibernate alone or in small groups in caves or mines at temperatures from 4 to 10&nbsp;Â°c, and they usually return to the same hibernation site year after year. when they wake up from hibernation, the females form maternity colonies that are no bigger than 20 bats, whereas the males roost alone during summer. these maternity colonies roost in foliage and are usually exposed to more light than any other bat species. after a gestation period of 44 to 60 days, one to two pups are born in june. (most other species of bats give birth to only one offspring.) each one weighs about 20% of its mother's weight. for the first few days after birth the mother carries the blind and hairless pups between roosts. they grow quickly, are able to fly within 14â21 days and stop getting nursed at four weeks of age. male tricolored bats live for about 15 years; the females can get as old as 10 years. == feeding == these bats eat small insects. they hunt at the edges of forests, near streams or over open water and can achieve a speed of about 18&nbsp;km/h. when the pipistrelles capture fo
Bats_of_Canada Bats_of_the_United_States Fauna_of_the_Eastern_United_States Fauna_of_the_Great_Lakes_region_(North_America) IUCN_Red_List_least_concern_species Mammals_of_Guatemala Mammals_of_Honduras Mammals_of_Mexico Vesper_bats