Bats in Sagebrush

Bats are vital to the health of economies and natural ecosystems -- even sagebrush-steppe! 

While sage is not these little mammals' primary habitat, many state wildlife plans associate bat species with sagebrush, especially riparian areas where they forage for insects. 

In the process, they help pollinate grasses and forbs that sage-grouse and hundreds of other species rely on for food and which cycle crucial moisture in these typically dry ecosystems. 

In all, ten bat species are associated with sagebrush in various states. 
 

 Other bat species not shown but often found in riparian sage-steppe: 

• Fringed myotis (Myotis thysanodes) 
• Long-legged myotis (Myotis volans)
• Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis)
• Spotted bat (Euderma maculatum)
• Townsend's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii)
• Allen's big-eared bat (Idionycteris phyllotis)