Most of the many bat

Bat

Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...

 species found in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 are insectivorous except for three flower eating species that migrate from Mexico.

Species

Bats belong to the biological order of Chiroptera. The bat families found in North America are Vespertilionidae, Molossidae, Antrozoidae, Mormoopidae

Mormoopidae

The family Mormoopidae contains bats known generally as mustached bats, ghost-faced bats, and naked-backed bats. They are found in the Americas from the Southwestern United States to Southeastern Brazil....

 and Phyllostomidae.

Vespertilionidae

• Western Pipistrelle
  Western Pipistrelle
  The canyon bat , also known as the Western Pipistrelle, is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family. It is found in Mexico and in the western United States...
  
   Pipistrellus hesperus
• Eastern Pipistrelle
  Eastern Pipistrelle
  The Tricolored Bat is a species of bat that is widely distributed throughout the eastern parts of North America, ranging west until Kansas and Texas, from Honduras up north until southern Ontario...
  
   Pipistrellus subflavus
• Big Brown Bat
  Big brown bat
  The Big Brown Bat is larger in size than comparative species of bats, from about 4 to 5 inches in body length, with a 11-13 inch wingspan and weighing 1/2 to 5/8 ounce. The fur is moderately long, and shiny brown...
  
   Eptesicus fuscus
• Evening Bat
  Evening Bat
  The Evening Bat is a species of bat in the vesper bat family, Vespertilionidae, that is native to North America. It is a small bat found throughout much of the midwestern and eastern United States as well as northeastern Mexico. In many areas they are very common, but may be declining in some...
  
   Nycticeius humeralis
• Western Red Bat Lasiurus blossevillii
• Eastern Red Bat
  Eastern Red Bat
  The Eastern Red Bat is a species of bat from the family Vespertilionidae. See also the Desert red bat , a related species....
  
   Lasiurus borealis
• Hoary Bat
  Hoary bat
  The hoary bat is a species of bat in the vesper bat family, Vespertilionidae. It occurs throughout most of North America and much of South America, with disjunct populations in the Galapagos and Hawaiian Islands...
  
   Lasiurus cinereus
• Southern Yellow Bat
  Southern Yellow Bat
  The Southern Yellow Bat , is a species of bat in the vesper bat family, Vespertilionidae. It is native to South, North and Central America, from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas in the United States to Argentina. This species roosts in trees and vegetation...
  
   Lasiurus ega
• Seminole Bat
  Seminole Bat
  The Seminole Bat is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is found in Mexico and the United States....
  
   Lasiurus seminolus
• Allen's Big-eared Bat
  Allen's Big-eared Bat
  Allen's Big-Eared Bat is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It occurs in Mexico and in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah in the United States....
  
   Idionycteris phyllotis
• Spotted Bat
  Spotted bat
  The Spotted bat , is a bat species from the family of vesper bats.-Description:The spotted bat was first described by zoologist Joel Asaph Allen from the American Museum of Natural History in 1891. It can reach a length of 12 cm and a wingspan of 35 cm. The weight is about 15 g. It has...
  
   Euderma maculatum
• Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat
  Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat
  The Rafinesque's Big-Eared Bat is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family that occurs in the southeastern United States, and the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio....
  
   Corynorhinus rafinesquii
• Townsend's Big-eared Bat
  Townsend's big-eared bat
  Townsend's Big-Eared Bat is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.- Description :The Townsend's Big-Eared Bat is a medium-sized bat with extremely long, flexible ears and small yet noticeable lumps on each side of the snout. Its upperparts are similar to dark brown on the back,...
  
   Corynorhinus townsendii
• Southwestern Myotis
  Southwestern Myotis
  The Southwestern Myotis is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It is found in Guatemala, Mexico, and in Arizona and New Mexico in the United States....
  
   Myotis auriculus
• Southeastern myotis
  Southeastern myotis
  The Southeastern Myotis is a small bat that is found throughout the Gulf Coastal Plain and the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Plain of the southeastern United States.-Description:...
  
   Myotis austroriparius
• California Myotis
  California Myotis
  The California Myotis is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It is found in British Columbia in Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, and in the western United States, including California....
  
   Myotis californicus
• Western Small-footed Myotis
  Western Small-footed Myotis
  The Western Small-Footed Bat , also known as the Western Small-Footed Myotis, is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It can be found in Canada, Mexico, and the United States....
  
   Myotis ciliolabrum
• Long-eared Myotis
  Long-eared Myotis
  The Long-eared Myotis is a species of vesper bat. It can be found in western Canada, the western United States, and Baja California in Mexico....
  
   Myotis evotis
• Gray Myotis Myotis griseus
• Keen's Myotis
  Keen's Myotis
  Keen's Myotis is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It is found in British Columbia in Canada and in Washington and Alaska in the United States. It is named after the Rev...
  
   Myotis keenii
• Eastern small-footed myotis
  Eastern Small-footed Myotis
  The Eastern Small-Footed Myotis or Eastern Small-footed Bat is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It can be found in Ontario and Quebec in Canada and in the eastern United States...
  
   Myotis leibii
• Little Brown Bat
  Little brown bat
  The little brown bat is a species of the genus Myotis , one of the most common bats of North America...
  
   Myotis lucifugus
• Northern Long-eared Myotis
  Northern long-eared myotis
  The Northern long-eared myotis is a small bat, typically 5-10 g and 84 mm in total length . The fur is dull brown on the dorsum and yellowish on the venter...
  
   Myotis septentrionalis
• Indiana bat
  Indiana bat
  The Indiana bat is a medium-sized mouse-eared bat native to North America. It lives primarily in eastern and midwestern states and in parts of the south of the United States. The Indiana bat is gray, black, or chestnut in colour and is 1.2–2 inches and weighs about 1/4 an ounce...
  
   Myotis sodalis
• Fringed Myotis
  Fringed Myotis
  The Fringed Myotis is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It is found in British Columbia in Canada, Mexico, and the western United States....
  
   Myotis thysanodes
• Cave Myotis
  Cave Myotis
  The Cave Myotis is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It is found in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and in the southwest United States....
  
   Myotis velifer
• Long-legged Myotis
  Long-legged Myotis
  The Long-Legged Myotis is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It can be found in Alberta and British Columbia in Canada, Mexico, and the western United States....
  
   Myotis volans
• Yuma Myotis
  Yuma Myotis
  The Yuma Myotis is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family. Yuma Myotis occur in a variety of western lowland habitats where it forages for insects just above the surface of slow moving water. It eats a variety of soft-bodied insects, primarily moths. It is found in British Columbia...
  
   Myotis yumanensis
• Silver-haired Bat
  Silver-Haired Bat
  The Silver-haired Bat is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae and the only member of the genus Lasionycteris.- Habitat :...
  
   Lasionycteris noctivagans

Molossidae

• Wagner's Mastiff Bat Eumops glaucinis
• Western Mastiff Bat
  Western mastiff bat
  The western mastiff bat , also known as the western bonneted bat, the greater mastiff bat, or the greater bonneted bat, is a member of the free-tailed bat family, Molossidae. It is found in the Western United States, Mexico and South America, and is the largest bat native to North America...
  
   Eumops perotis
• Underwood's Mastiff Bat Eumops underwoodi
• Pallas's Mastiff Bat Molossus molossus
• Pocketed Free-tailed Bat
  Pocketed Free-tailed Bat
  The Pocketed Free-tailed Bat is a species of bat in the family Molossidae. It is found in Mexico and in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas in the United States....
  
   Nyctinomops femorosaccus
• Big Free-tailed Bat
  Big Free-tailed Bat
  The Big Free-tailed Bat is a bat species found in South, North and Central America. They have a wingspan of 435 mm and an average length of 140 mm. This bat frequents rocky or canyon country where it roosts in crevices. This migratory species is a swift, powerful flier, and occasional individuals...
  
   Nyctinomops macrotis
• Brazilian Free-tailed Bat Tadarida brasiliensis

Phyllostomidae

• Mexican Long-tongued Bat
  Mexican Long-tongued Bat
  The Mexican Long-tongued Bat is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is monotypic within the genus Choeronycteris. The species is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and the United States.Mexican long-tongued bats feed on nectar and pollen from agaves and other plants...
  
   Choeronycteris mexicana
• Hairy-legged Vampire Bat
  Hairy-legged Vampire Bat
  The Hairy-legged Vampire Bat is one of three species of vampire bat. Despite connotations of vampires, it mainly feeds on the blood of birds. This vampire bat lives mainly in tropical and subtropical forestlands of South America...
  
   Diphylla ecaudata
• Mexican Long-nosed Bat Leptonycteris nivalis
• Southern Long-nosed Bat
  Southern Long-nosed Bat
  The Southern Long-nosed Bat is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is found in Aruba, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Netherlands Antilles. Its roosts in caves and mines, but only breeds in specific caves on islands....
  
   Leptonycteris curasoe
• California Leaf-nosed Bat
  California Leaf-nosed Bat
  The California Leaf-nosed Bat is a species of bat in the family Phyllostomidae. It is found in Mexico and the United States. Its natural habitat is hot deserts...
  
   Macrotus californicus
• Common Vampire Bat
  Common Vampire Bat
  The Common Vampire Bat is a small leaf-nosed bat native to the Americas. It is one of three extant species of vampire bat, the other two being the Hairy-legged Vampire Bat and the White-winged Vampire Bat. Along with them, it is the only parasitic mammal. It mainly feeds on the blood of livestock...
  
   Desmodus rotundus

Notable bat roosts

In 2009 the Grandview Mine

Grandview Mine

The Grandview Mine, also known as the Last Chance Mine, was operated by Pete Berry from 1892 until 1901 in what later became Grand Canyon National Park. The Grandview Mine Historic District includes what remains of the mine shafts and machinery as well as the ruins of a stone house and sleeping...

 in the Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is the United States' 15th oldest national park and is located in Arizona. Within the park lies the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, considered to be one of the Wonders of the World. The park covers of unincorporated area in Coconino and Mohave counties.Most...

 had gates added to support on-going bat research, preserve historic mine resources, and promote visitor safety.

The Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge

Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge

The Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge crosses over Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas. Before the construction of Longhorn Dam was completed in 1960, the bridge crossed the Colorado River from which Lady Bird Lake is impounded...

, which crosses over Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas, is the the world largest urban bat colony.

Seventeen species of bats live in the Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a United States National Park in the Guadalupe Mountains in southeastern New Mexico. The primary attraction of the park for most visitors is the show cave, Carlsbad Caverns...

, including a large number of Mexican Free-tailed Bat

Mexican Free-tailed Bat

The Mexican free-tailed bat , also known as the Brazilian free-tailed bat, is a medium-sized bat that is native to the Americas and is widely regarded as one of the most abundant mammals in North America...

s. It has been estimated that the population of Mexican Free-tailed Bats once numbered in the millions but has declined drastically in modern times. The cause of this decline is unknown but the pesticide DDT

DDT

DDT is one of the most well-known synthetic insecticides. It is a chemical with a long, unique, and controversial history....

 is often listed as a primary cause.

State insignia

As of February 2011, at least three states had an official bat. The general assembly of North Carolina

North Carolina

North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...

 considered a bill in 2007 that would have made Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat

Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat

The Rafinesque's Big-Eared Bat is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family that occurs in the southeastern United States, and the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio....

 as its state bat. The bill passed 92-15, but died in the state senate.

State	State bat	Scientific name	Image	Year adopted
Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...	Mexican free-tailed bat Mexican Free-tailed Bat The Mexican free-tailed bat , also known as the Brazilian free-tailed bat, is a medium-sized bat that is native to the Americas and is widely regarded as one of the most abundant mammals in North America...	Tadarida brasiliensis		2006
Texas Texas Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...				1995
Virginia Virginia The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...	Virginia Big-eared Bat Townsend's big-eared bat Townsend's Big-Eared Bat is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.- Description :The Townsend's Big-Eared Bat is a medium-sized bat with extremely long, flexible ears and small yet noticeable lumps on each side of the snout. Its upperparts are similar to dark brown on the back,...	Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus		2005

Popular culture

The Bat People

The Bat People

The Bat People is a 1974 film directed by Jerry Jameson and distributed by American International Pictures. After being bitten by a bat in a cave, a doctor undergoes an accelerating transformation into a man-bat creature.- Synopsis :...

is a 1974 film in which a doctor undergoes an accelerating transformation into a man-bat creature after being bitten by a bat in Carlsbad Cavern.

Batman

Batman

Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...

, the caped crusader, is a popular comic book hero that that originally appeared in DC Comics

DC Comics

DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...

 publications, and more recently in film productions.

External links

• Bat facts at the Smithsonian Institute
• Selected list of publications on bats