Seminole Bats (Lasiurus seminolus)
These bats are very closely related to the Eastern red bats. This relation is reflected in their very similar behavior, breeding habits, and life. They are so closely related that until they were determined to be a separate species, they were thought to be Eastern reds. They are a reddish-maroon, even referred to as a mahogany, in color with patches of white frosting on their wrists and shoulders.
They have a much smaller range than their Eastern Red cousins. They are located in woodland areas that support the growth of Spanish moss. This range spreads from Texas to Florida, up to the Carolinas, and also includes southern Oklahoma and Arkansas. They physically roost within the Spanish moss or under loose bark in times of extreme weather. They are insectivores that are non-migratory. They do go into a state of torpor during cold weather as they need weather of 70 degrees or higher in order to be able to feed.
Their mating habits are also similar to that of the Eastern reds. They copulate during flight in the fall and the females store the sperm until they ovulate the following spring. Although they have a smaller range, their numbers are strong enough where they are considered to be a species that doesn’t require conservation efforts.