The native range of the eastern small-footed bat is Canada and the United States, but it has long been considered rare in this range. The total length of the species is 75-85 mm with a wingspan of 210-250 mm. 

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Outside of the hibernation period (spring and summer), bats of this species are largely independent and inhabit cracks or crevices in a wide variety of cold and dry human and natural habitats from buildings, mines, and tunnels to hollow trees, caves, and rock crevices, to name a few. Bats of this species tend to inhabit the coldest sections of available caves for hibernation alone or in small groups from November through April. 

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The eastern small-footed bat is an insectivore that primarily preys on flies, moths, beetles, and mosquitoes at night using echolocation. 

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In addition to being locally impacted by deforestation, which reduces foraging habitat quality, and oil, gas, and mineral development, which damage important rocky roosting sites, the species is being heavily hit by white-nose syndrome in Connecticut and is listed on the state's Wildlife Action Plan as Endangered and a Species of Greatest Conservation Need.