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| Spotted Bat - Euderma maculatum |  
Weight: 0.60 oz.
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Initially thought to be extremely rare, the spotted bat is now known to occupy a large range throughout central western North America from southern British Columbia to northern Mexico. Since its discovery in 1891 until 1965, only 35 specimens were known to science. Much more has been learned about this species in the last 10 years with the advent of very small radio transmitters. This is still one of America's least known animals, but the rarity of observations likely does not reflect its true status in nature.
This species is named for three large white spots that occur on its back. It has the largest ears of any American bat and is easily recognized. These are one of the most beautiful of the bats, with their very long translucent pink ears, and long silky fur. They are snow white on the underside, and jet black on the top with three large white spots (two on the shoulder blades and one on the rump), and they have pink wings to match the ears.
Its habitats and choice of roosting sites high in cliff crevices make them difficult to observe and unlikely to be harmed by humans. The spotted bat prefers moths as a prey item and apparently emerges very late in the evening to feed. Knowledge about this bat is limited anywhere in its range. Research in Northern Arizona has shown that they roost in high cliffs in desert canyons, and forage in various habitats. Lactating females leave their young pup at home in the desert cliff roost, travel approximately 40 miles one way and increase in elevation by 3-4000 feet to hunt for insects in high elevation meadows. They are one of the few bats that have an echolocation call that can be heard by human ears. It is thought that they have a low frequency call, relative to other bats, in order to locate moths without being detected.
Not a lot is known about these bats in Utah, but they are found in the state. The spotted bat is currently included on the Utah Sensitive Species List. |
| | Allen's Lappet-browed Bat - Idionycteris phyllotis |  Weight: 0.31-0.41 oz.
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Named for it's well developed "lappets" (enlarged ear lobes that are conspicuous over the bat's forehead), this bat has been found from the northwest to southeast corner of the state. Allen's lappet-browned bat have been found in a variety of habitats in Arizona, including ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper, Mexican woodland, white fir forest and Mohave desertscrub. They are often associated with water, whether for feeding, drinking, or both is unclear. Allen's lappet-browed bat use mine tunnels for roosting and both tunnels and boulder piles for nursery colonies. Young are probably born in June and can fly by late July. Allen's big-eared bat is found in extreme southern Nevada, the southern third of Utah, throughout Arizona, in the southwestern quarter of New Mexico, and south through the interior of Mexico. It is most often encountered in ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper, pine-oak woodland, and riparian habitats above 3,000 feet. Maternity colonies of 30 to 150 individuals have been found in mine shafts, boulder piles, lava beds, and beneath the loose bark of large ponderosa pine snags. Colonies are most often found in rocky places near riparian habitat or woodlands. These bats feed on moths, soldier beetles, dung beetles, leaf beetles, roaches, and flying ants, either catching them in flight or gleaning them from foliage. Their enormous ears combined with unique lappets easily distinguish them from all other species. Some of their echolocation calls are audible to humans as a series of "cheeps" or "clicks". Vandalism in caves and closures of abandoned mines threaten maternity roosts as does loss of old snags.
Not a lot is known about these bats in Utah, but they are found in the state.The Allen's lappet-browed bat is included on the Utah Sensitive Species List. |
| | Townsend's Big-eared Bat - Corynorhinus townsendii |  
Wingspread: 11.7-12.6 inches. Weight: 0.31-0.42 oz.
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This bat is easily recognized by its large ears and two large lumps that rise from each side of the snout. The Townsend's big-eared bat ranges throughout much of western North America.Day roost are usually caves or mine tunnels, but buildings or other man-made structures are common night roosts. Females form nursery colonies in the spring and give birth to a single young. Townsend's big-eared bats hibernate in Arizona, often in caves or mines, usually in small groups. The hibernating bats coil their large ears like rams' horns and cover their body with their wing and tail membranes to conserve body heat. This bat is a nimble late-night flyer that apparently feeds largely on moths. Townsend's big-eared bats are found throughout western North America, from British Columbia south to Oaxaca, Mexico, with two endangered subspecies in isolated areas in the Ozark and Central Appalachian regions of the United States. Their most typical habitat is arid western desert scrub and pine forest regions. These agile fliers venture out to forage only after dark, using their keen echolocation to hunt moths and other insects. In the spring and summer, females form maternity colonies in mines, caves, or buildings, while males roost individually. In winter, these bats hibernate in caves and abandoned mines. They are extremely sensitive to disturbance at their roosting sites and have suffered severe population declines throughout much of the U.S. |
| | Pallid Bat - Antrozous pallidus |  
Wingspread: 14.2-15.4 inches. Weight: 0.98-1.29 oz.
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The pallid bat is a relatively large, light colored, big eared bat that inhabits Utah's lower and mid elevation habitats during the summer. The pallid bat occurs throughout the desert southwest, northward along the western coast to British Columbia. Pallid bats are very social with strong group cohesion. They show affinity to specific roosting sites which include caves, tunnels, attics of houses, crevices and a variety of other locations.Apparently a great deal of their food is taken by landing on the ground and stalking flightless prey. Consequently, this bat is sometimes caught in snap traps set for small mammals. Pallid bats are very vocal and have relatively slow flight patterns. One or two young are born into a nursery colony usually in June. Young are weaned at 6-8 weeks of age with the mother foraging with them until they become independent. The pallid bat is known for its unique habit of feeding almost entirely from the ground. Unlike most other North American bats, this species captures little, if any, prey while in flight. With its huge ears, it can detect insects simply by listening for footsteps, and it can respond accurately to a split-second sound from up to 16 feet away. After swooping down upon its prey, the pallid bat carries the insect to a convenient perch to consume its meal. Its most common prey includes crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, and even scorpions. The pallid bat is actually immune to a scorpion's sting! Pallid bats roost in rock crevices, buildings, and bridges in arid regions. They are found from Mexico and the southwestern United States north through Oregon, Washington, and western Canada. |
| | All Photos by M.Siders |
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