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| Bats, although often miss-classified as rodents, are a unique order of winged mammals, often insectivorous and nocturnal, that are generally insectivores. Many use echolocation as a method for hunting, but contrary to popular belief, they are not blind. New York is home to at least 9 species of bat, none of which are vampire, or blood-feeding bats, but any of them can carry parasites or rabies. It is recommended you handle wild bats with caution as the first thing they do when handled is attempt to bite. |
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Big Brown Bat
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Identifying characteristics:
A light or medium brown, furry bat, with a broad nose,
fleshy lips and small, thick black ears. The ears, face and
wings are devoid of hair and are black. The fang-like teeth
are strong and capable of causing injury. Size: Average body length of 4.5 inches. Wingspan of 13 inches. Females are slightly larger than males. Habitat: Heavily forested regions, cities, towns, rural areas with ample secluded structures for roosting and stable structures for hibernation. Barns and attics are well suited habitats. Roost in hollow trees or within the bark or trees, or in man-made structures during the day. Food: Carnivorous, insectivorous. Flying insects. Hunt in around tree canopies at night. Usually 2-5 hours after sunset. Tail and wing membranes are used to capture flying prey. Vocalization: Short, high-pitch clicks or chirps. Audio Reproduction: Litter size is usually 2. Other Info.: Nocturnal, hibernates. Uses echolocation for navigation, but is not blind. |
Distribution Status: none
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Eastern Pipistrelle
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AKA:
Butterfly bat Identifying characteristics: A small bat with yellowish-brown fur and black wings, black face and small round ears. Each individual hair of its fur is tri-colored, dark at the base, yellowish brown in the middle and dark at the tip. They are easily identified by their reddish forearms. Size: Average body length of 3-3.5 inches. Wingspan of 9 inches. Females are slightly larger than males. Habitat: Open woodland near water or open fields, avoiding deep woods. Often found flying and hunting over water. They roost in caves, rock crevices, trees and buildings. In winter they hibernate in more stable, deeper caves. Food: Carnivorous, insectivorous. Flying insects. Hunt near water edges and above water at night. Tail and wing membranes are used to capture flying prey. Vocalization: A multi-harmonic series of high-pitch noises. Reproduction: Litter size is usually 2. Other Info.: Nocturnal, hibernates. Uses echolocation for navigation, but is not blind. They get their nickname, the butterfly bat by their moth-like flight pattern. |
Distribution Status: none
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Eastern Red Bat
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Identifying characteristics:
A medium-sized bat with dense reddish (or reddish-brown)
fur. The fur is more prominent across the back and face
compared to other bats. Size: Average body length of 4 inches. Wingspan of 12 inches. Habitat: Forested areas sparsely or not inhabited by humans. Spend their days roosting in the foliage of trees, hanging by one foot, often looking like a dead leaf or pine cone. They rarely live in man-made structures. Food: Carnivorous, insectivorous. Flying insects. Moths and other flying insects. Hunt in open locations starting at dusk using a light source, such as the setting sun, to help locate prey. Vocalization: Short, high-pitch chirps, sounding like a bird. Audio1, Audio2 Reproduction: Litter size is usually 2. Other Info.: Nocturnal, hibernates. Uses echolocation for navigation, but is not blind. Is well-adapted for cold temperatures, but may migrate south for the winter. Their camouflage roosting helps them deter predation from birds and opossums. |
Distribution Status: none
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Eastern Small-Footed Bat
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Identifying characteristics:
A small-sized bat with medium-brown fur on its back and
lighter, puffier fur on its belly. The fur is often
described as having a glossy, golden sheen to it. The
ears are pointed. The face, ears and wings are black. As the
name implies, their feet are relatively small for a bat. Size: Average body length of 2.8 inches. Wingspan of 8.5 inches. Habitat: Mountainous regions of deciduous or coniferous forest. Can be found roosting in buildings, tunnels and rock crevices. They hibernate in caves and tunnels. May roost with hundreds of others. Food: Carnivorous, insectivorous. Flying insects. Moths, flies and other flying insects. Seen hunting over land and water, but seems to prefer hunting on the forest edge. Vocalization: not available. Reproduction: Litter size is usually 1. Other Info.: Nocturnal, hibernates. Uses echolocation for navigation, but is not blind. |
Distribution Status: Special Concern in NY State due to dwindling habitat.
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Hoary Bat
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Identifying characteristics:
A relatively large bat that is easy to identify by its
frosty fur that extends to the elbows of the wings. The face
and the outlines of its small, rounded ears are black, as is
the bottom portions of the wings that are not covered in
fur, but other areas of skin are pinkish-grey. There is a
characteristic ring or dark fur around the neck and a patch
of yellow fur on the throat and around the ears. The eyes
are beady. Size: Average body length of 5.5 inches. Wingspan of 16.5 inches. The largest bat species in NY state. Habitat: Wooded areas, roosting in a variety of tree types, usually close to open areas. Rarely in human structures. Migrates rather than hibernates, often forming large groups for migration in the fall. Food: Carnivorous, insectivorous. Flying insects. Large moths or other insects found over clearings. Starts hunting in early evening to take advantage of the light. Feeding may continue throughout the night. Vocalization: Hissing and high pitch chirps. Audio Reproduction: Litter size is usually 1-4, often 2. 4 Mammary glands are present. Other Info.: Nocturnal, migrates south for the winter. Uses echolocation for navigation, but is not blind. Is often solitary. Strong flyer. Found in almost every state. Hawaii's only native mammal. |
Distribution Status: The most widely distributed bat in North America.
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Indiana Bat
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Identifying characteristics:
This tiny bat has very fine and fluffy grey or brownish-grey
hair on its back and lighter, pinkish fur on its belly. The
ears are medium sized and black to match its wings. The nose
is pink (though sometimes grey). Unlike similar
bats, like brown bats, it does not have black skin on the
face, which gives the brown bats the mask-like feature. The
feet often have hairs, but they do not extend past the toes. Size: Average body length of 2 inches. Wingspan of 10 inches. Habitat: Wooded or semi-wooded areas, near water. Warm weather roosting may happen in dead trees, in hollowed out sections or under bark. Hibernation is in limestone caves with pools. Migration to hibernation sites is common, with mating beginning at arrival. Found in tightly packed clusters. Food: Carnivorous, insectivorous. Flying insects. Prefers to hunt along shorelines. Vocalization: High pitch squeaks. Video1, Video2 Reproduction: Litter size is 1 Other Info.: Nocturnal, migrates to suitable cave sites for the winter. Uses echolocation for navigation, but is not blind. |
Distribution Status: Federally Endangered due to majority of animals hibernating in relatively few cave sites, commercialization of cave sites, vandalism. Special note: Disturbing hibernating Indiana Bats may result in them not surviving the winter.
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Little Brown Bat
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Identifying characteristics:
A small bat, slightly larger than the Indiana Bat, with
glossy brown fur on its back and lighter colored fur on its
belly. The ears are elongated, but relatively small. The
face, ears and wings are black. The feet are large and have
hair that extends past the toes. The eyes are tiny. Size: Average body length of 3.5 inches. Wingspan of 10 inches. Females are slightly larger than males. Habitat: Roosting locations include buildings, trees, rocks, rocky cliffs, woodpiles. They prefer dark and cool locations for day roosting. Forested lands near bodies of water are preferred. Hibernation occurs in deep caves or mines. Food: Carnivorous, insectivorous. Flying insects, preferably with an aquatic larval stage. Hunts near tree canopies or over water. Unlike many other bats, these bats are capable of catching insects directly with their mouth, rather than with their wing, which they use for larger prey. Vocalization: Short, high-pitch squeaks. Audio Reproduction: Litter size is usually 1. Considered one of the most promiscuous species of mammal. Other Info.: Nocturnal, hibernates. Uses FM echolocation for hunting, but is not blind. Predators include domestic cats, martens and fishers. |
Distribution
Status: None |
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Northern Long-eared Bat
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Identifying characteristics:
This small bat has dull, yellowish brown fur and long black,
rounded ears. The fur on their underside tends to be pale
grey. Often the lips are pink. Size: Average body length of 3 inches. Wingspan of 9.5 inches. Females are slightly larger than males. Habitat: Heavily forested areas, where they feed and roost, but will often be found roosting in small groups in buildings and caves. Food: Carnivorous, insectivorous. Generally insects stationary moths. They use a foraging strategy called gleaning, in which they use echolocation (and their long ears) to navigate within the dense vegetation of wooded areas. They pluck stationary moths from surfaces, but can also capture flying prey. They emerge shortly after sunset to hunt. Vocalization: Short, high-pitch squeaks. Audio Reproduction: Litter size is usually 1. Other Info.: Nocturnal, hibernates. Uses FM echolocation for hunting, but is not blind. |
Distribution
Status: None |
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