California
Antrozous pallidus   1-Dr. Lloyd Glenn Ingles, California Academy of Sciences; 2-Bruce Taubert, Arizona Game & Fish Department | |
| Type of Animal: | Mammals |
|---|---|
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Federal Status: | BLM Sensitive |
| State Status: | |
| Occurrence: | |
| Habitat: | Desert,Canyons,Caves,Mines |
| Description: | Bats are the only true flying mammals, and they occur in almost all areas around the world. There are 1000 species of bats, 46 of which occur in the United States. Bats make up 25% of all mammals. Unfortunately there are many myths about bats. They are not blind and do not become entangled in human hair. Some bats may carry rabies, but not all. In fact, less than 1% of the population carries rabies. The best way to avoid contracting rabies from them is to not handle them. Bats typically only bite in self-defense and will leave humans alone unless provoked. Like all bats, pallid bats are a very important component of our ecosystem. Bats are nocturnal and begin flying soon after sunset. During this time they forage for flying insects such as moths, beetles, flying ants, and mosquitoes. They depend on echolocation to locate their prey. The bats emit short, high-pitched sounds that echo. By listening to the echo they are able to figure out where obstacles are located, even obstacles as thin as a piece of thread! Bats are natural predators of the insects that are considered to be agricultural pests. Without bats, farmers would be forced to increase their use of chemical pesticides, which could increase the price of our produce and cause negative effects on other wildlife that live in and around agricultural areas. In desert habitats, bats are the primary pollinators of giant cacti. Pallid bats have the slowest wing beats of all the bat species, with only about 10 beats per second. They roost in groups of at least 20 members, and tend to change roosting sites often. This is one of the few bat species that specializes in eating off the ground rather than in flight. As a result, their diet is quite different from other bats. They tend to eat non-flying beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, and even lizards. They also eat some animals that have very painful defense mechanisms, such as scorpions and Jerusalem crickets. Pallid bats are often seen visiting flowers, although they are most likely eating the insects that live on the flower rather than the nectar. This species is also responsible for pollinating a variety of desert cacti. Mating occurs from late autumn to early winter. Due to delayed implantation, births do not take place until May and June. Before giving birth, pregnant females form their own maternity colonies, from which males are excluded. Most female bats are capable of producing only one offspring per year, but females of this species often give birth to twins each year. |
| Effort: | The bat population is in steady decline due to numerous factors. The main reason for the decline is human interference, such as habitat destruction and alteration. Bats live in natural structures like caves, but they also live in manmade structures such as bridges and abandoned mines. Vandalism in these areas drives the bats away and kills many of them. Activities such as building bonfires under bridges can also cause them to die from smoke inhalation. Many bridges and mines also contain maternity dens, so these detrimental activities not only kill the adults but the new generations as well. You can help protect bat populations by avoiding areas that may contain bats. If you must enter a bat roost area, be careful to leave the area as you found it. The Bureau of Land Management works with other agencies, including the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to protect these animals. When the BLM identifies an area containing pallid bats, they take extra precautions to work in the area only when necessary and only during non-sensitive seasons. The BLM also works to educate the public about the importance of these and other bats and encourages the public to stay away from potential roosting sites. |
| References: | Jameson et al. 1988. California Mammals. Wilson et al. (editors). 1999. The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. Whitaker (editor). 1998. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals, Revised Edition. Zeiner et al. (editors). 1990. California’s Wildlife, Volume III, Mammals. |
| Other Sites: | State of Montana |
| Field Office(s): | Bakersfield; Barstow; Eagle Lake; Mother Lode; Needles; Palm Springs; Redding; Ridgecrest; Ukiah |