Bats

Bat-Ground

Twenty-eight species of bats call Arizona home. To many people, this is not good news as bats can conjure up images of vampires and haunted houses. Most of the impressions and feelings that people have about bats are derived from myth, horror movies and sensationalized media stories. These sources usually portray bats as evil or associate them with death and disease. In reality, bats are very beneficial to the environment.

Bats suffer a bad reputation due to a lack of knowledge and understanding. The truth is, bats are gentle, intelligent animals. They do not seek out people and simply want to be left alone. This is especially true while hibernating or raising babies. If a colony is disturbed during one of these sensitive periods, mortality rates may be extremely high, jeopardizing the entire colony and, in the end, the species.

Many people are familiar with the insect-eating species of bats such as the Mexican free-tailed bats found at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Since these bats are active at night, they have develooped a sophisticated navigation system called "echolocation," which is much like our modern day sonar. As a bat flies, it emits a series of high frequency sounds. When these sounds hit that object, they "bounce off" and return to the bat. The bat is then able to "see" what is around it by interpreting the returning sounds. It is such a sensitive system that the bat is able to determine the size, speed and direction of travel of a moving insect, and, in the same fraction of a second, plot a course of interception. Bats are not blind, though they use their eyes much less than other mammals. Their sense of smell is also important, especially in raising young and for nectar-feeding bats seeking flowers.

 

Nectivorous Bats

Two species of nectar-feeding bats, the Mexican long-tonged and the lesser long-nosed bats, can play a vital role in the pollination of saguaros and other cacti. Nectar-feeding bats differ from most other species of bats by having an longated muzzle, small nose and long tongue. These features allow them to reach deep inside the saguaro flowers. The flowers are pollinated as the bats travel from blossom to blossom. To assist in this symbiotic relationship, the large, creamy white, strongly-scented flowers open at night, aiding the bats in finding them in the dark.

Although many other types of animals may pollinate saguaros, research has shown that bats are particularly efficient in helping saguaros produce fertile fruit. The next time you see a healthy saguaro, thank a bat!

 

NPS Photo

Lesser Long-nosed Bat (Leptonycteris curasoae)

This summer visitor to Saguaro National Park arrives just in time for the flowering of the Saguaro cactus. The lesser long-nosed bat migrates north along the west coast of Mexico, feeding at the flowers of the cardon cactus, organ pipe cactus, and other plants that accommodate bat pollinators. The flowers of these plants have flowers high above the ground; they are lightly colored, visible at night, and promise a meal of pollen and nectar.
Body Length: 69 - 84 mm
Diet: Nectar, pollen, some insects.

 

NPS Photo

Mexican Long-tongued Bat (Choeronycteris mexicana)

This migratory, nectar and pollen-feeding bat depends on plants adapted for bat pollination (like the agave). The Mexican long-tongued bat follows the flowering agave northward during the spring, arriving in Arizona in early summer. The agave gets a pollinator that transports its pollen, while the bat gets a meal of rich nectar and protein-filled pollen. To make it even easier on the bat, the flowers are thrust high into the sky, light colored, and easily spotted at night. The Mexican long-tongued bat, as the name implies, has a long tongue tipped with brush-like projections for lapping nectar.
Body Length: 55-78 mm

 

Insectivorous Bats

 

Big brown bat

NPS photo

Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)

This large bat is very common throughout its range, especially near farms and urban areas. In deserts, it generally roosts in man-made structures, although it has been documented roosting in woodpecker holes in saguaros. A fast flyer, it forages for insects during the summer and migrates to higher elevations to hibernate during winter.
Body length: 106 - 127 mm
Diet: Mostly beetles; but also ants, wasps, leafhoppers, other agricultural pests

 

California leaf-nosed bat

NPS photo

California Leaf-nosed Bat (Macrotis californicus)

The California leaf-nosed bat inhabits desert scrub of the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts. During the day, it roosts in caves and mineshafts, and at night, it hunts insects. Its hearing is so acute that it can hear noises as faint as the footstep of a cricket! It feeds on large insects that it plucks from foliage or directly off the ground. It does not land on the ground but hovers above its prey before striking. After catching its prey, the California leaf-nosed bat carries it to an open roost to feast. This species does not migrate or hibernate. Instead, it survives cold periods in the warmth of cave and mineshaft roosts.
Body Length: 84 - 93 mm
Diet: Crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, other insects

 

California myotis

NPS photo

California Myotis (Myotis californicus)

The California myotis bat forages for small flying insects over desert scrub vegetation. It roosts during the daytime in buildings, under bridges, or under tree bark. Some individuals hibernate in mines and caves during winter months, while others remain active. Females form small breeding colonies of only a few individuals.
Body length: 74 - 85 mm
Diet: Moths and other small flying insects

 

Cave myotis

NPS photo

Cave Myotis (Myotis velifer)

This bat is found throughout the Sonoran Desert except for the driest, westernmost parts. Females sometimes form very large maternity colonies of about 15000 individuals.
Body length: 90 - 115 mm
Diet: Small insects

 

Fringed myotis

NPS photo

Fringed Myotis (Myotis thysanodes)

This colonial bat is active from April through September. The birth of young is synchronized throughout the colony. This myotis migrates to a winter roost, but its winter habits are not well known.
Body length: 80 - 95 mm
Diet: Mostly moths and crickets

 

Hoary bat

NPS photo

Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus)

This bat species is widely distributed across the U.S. and southern Canada. During the summer, male hoary bats are found in the southwestern U.S., while females are spread over the entire bats’ range. In the fall, females meet up with the males in the Southwest, and both migrate to Mexico or South America. Presumably, mating takes place during migration or winter.
Body length: 102 - 152 mm
Diet: Moths and other insects

 

Long-legged myotis

NPS photo

Long-legged Myotis (Myotis volans)

The long-legged myotis is a long-lived bat that can reach an age of 21 years. Females form maternity colonies of up to several hundred individuals which disperse in the fall.
Body length: 87 - 103 mm
Diet: Moths and other small insects

 

Mexican free-tailed bat

NPS photo

Mexican Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis)

The Mexican free-tailed bat, also known as the Brazilian free-tailed bat, is the most common bat in the Southwest with a U.S. population of over 100 million! They live in huge cave colonies where they squeeze in next to each other in densities of 2700 per square meter. Unlike most bats, young Mexican free-tailed bats roost separately from their mothers. The mother can recognize her youngster by its voice alone. Mexican free-tailed bats are strong and fast flyers. They can fly at speeds of 100 km (60 mph) and fly as far as 80 km (50 miles) from their roosts. Some of the local population hibernate, but most migrate to Mexico for the winter.
Body length: 90 - 110 mm
Diet: Variety of small insects

 

Pallid bat

Photo courtesy of USGS

Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus)

The pallid bat flaps its wings more slowly than most bats. It forages low to the ground, landing frequently to catch large insects and invertebrates. Sometimes, they even get caught in mouse traps! Its hearing is so acute that it can hear the footsteps of insects on the ground. When disturbed, the pallid bat emits a skunk-like odor from the glands on its muzzle. Found across much of the western U.S. from Mexico to British Columbia, it roosts in colonies of 12 to 200 individuals.
Body length: 107 - 130 mm
Diet: Large insects such as beetles, crickets, katydids, and grasshoppers; scorpions; centipedes

 

Pocketed free-tailed bat

NPS photo

Pocketed Free-tailed Bat (Nyctinomops femorosaccus)

The female pocketed free-tailed bat mates just prior to ovulation in the spring. It roosts in rocky areas – crevices, overhangs, and sometimes caves. At night it gives a loud, high-pitched call when it drops from its roost. It also calls frequently from its day roost.
Body length: 98 - 118 mm
Diet: Primarily moths, also ants, wasps, other insects

 

Silver-haired bat

NPS photo

Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans)

Named for the silver-tipped hairs on its back, this solitary, slow flying, tree-roosting species is found in both deciduous and coniferous forests. The silver-haired bat roosts under bark, in woodpecker holes, or in other protected spots. It is unknown whether females form maternity colonies or remain solitary before giving birth.
Body length: 92 - 108 mm
Diet: Small insects

 

Southwestern myotis

NPS photo

Southwestern Myotis (Myotis auriculus)

Although the daytime roosts of southwestern myotis bats are unknown, we do know that they roost in buildings and caves at night. They catch their prey of flying insects in mid-flight.
Body Length: 78 - 88 mm
Diet: Flying insects, mostly moths

 

Townsend's big-eared bat

NPS photo

Townsend’s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii)

In the western U.S., female Townsend’s big-eared bats form maternity colonies of up to 200 individuals. Young bats are large, weighing about one quarter their mother's weight at birth. They can fly by three weeks of age. By day, Townsend’s big-eared bats hang from the ceilings of mines and caves. They hibernate in cold caves and mines, folding their huge ears back to the middle of their body.
Body length: 89 - 110 mm
Diet: moths

 

Western pipistrelle

NPS photo

Western Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus hesperus)

The western pipistrelle is the smallest bat in the U.S., weighing about 3 grams (0.1 oz). It is buff in color with black ears, wings and tail membrane. A desert forager, it is usually the first bat to appear in the evening, usually well before dark. It roosts in caves, mines, and buildings. During warm winter evenings male bats can often be seen foraging over the desert floor while female western pipistrelles are hibernating at higher, cooler elevations.
Body length: 60 - 86 mm
Diet: Small insects such as flies, leafhoppers, planthoppers

 

Western red bat

NPS photo

Western Red Bat (Lasiurus blossevillii)

Named for the rusty red coloration on its head and back, the western red bat also has white shoulder patches. Male bats are brighter than females in color. This solitary bat roosts in the dense foliage of deciduous trees. Western red bats migrate, often in flocks, to the southern parts of their range in winter.
Body length: 87 - 120 mm
Diet: Insects

 

Western Small-footed Myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum)

Little is known about the western small-footed myotis. It tends to forage along cliffs and rocky slopes. Maternity colonies are small and usually in man-made structures. Females bear only one offspring per year.
Body Length: 76 - 90 mm
Diet: Small flying insects

 

Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis)

The Yuma myotis is closely associated with water. It feeds by flying low over water sources, snatching up small flying insects. Maternity colonies form in places with high temperatures, such as caves, buildings, tree cavities, or under bridges and can contain thousands of individuals.
Body length: 84 - 99 mm
Diet: Moths, midges, other small insects