Bat
Scientific Name: Chiroptera
Classification: Nongame
Abundance: Locally abundant
Overview
Bats represent one-quarter of all mammal species worldwide. Of the 17 species that occur in North Carolina, three are federally endangered and one is federally threatened. Bats are relatively long-lived, some surviving up to 20 or even 30 years in the wild. They are primarily nocturnal, though they also forage in the early evening and early morning hours. Although bats have good eyesight, most bat species primarily use echolocation to navigate and locate prey. Their maneuverability is phenomenal; bats can avoid objects as small as a string in total darkness.
Bats in North Carolina mate in the spring or fall and usually produce one pup per year. Like us, they give birth to live young. Many species form maternity colonies in the summer to raise their young, while others are more solitary, roosting and raising young alone. Some species migrate south for the winter and others stay in local sheltering areas, called hibernacula, to sleep through the winter. Bats prefer caves or mines for hibernacula, though they have also been known to use buildings and bridges. Bats usually return to the same site every year if they can.
For more general information on bats in North Carolina, read the bat species profile and WNS Protocols for Bat Rehabilitators.
Individual Bat Species Profiles
| Common Name | Species Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Big-eared Bat (PDF) | Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus | Federally endangered |
| Gray Bat | Myotis grisescens | Federally endangered |
| Indiana Bat | Myotis sodalis | Federally endangered |
| Northern Long-eared Bat | Myotis septentrionalis | Federally threatened |
| Little Brown Bat | Myotis lucifugus | "At risk” – under federal review |
| Tri-colored Bat | Perimyotis subflavus | "At risk” – under federal review |
| Southeastern Bat | Myotis austroriparius | NC species of special concern |
| Northern Yellow Bat | Lasiurus intermedius | NC species of special concern |
| Eastern Small-footed Bat | Myotis leibii | NC species of special concern |
| Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat | Corynorhinus rafinesquii | |
| Mountain Population | NC threatened species | |
| Coastal Population | NC species of special concern | |
| Silver-haired Bat | Lasionycteris noctivagans | Uncommon |
| Big Brown Bat | Eptesicus fuscus | Common |
| Eastern Red Bat | Lasiurus borealis | Common |
| Hoary Bat | Lasiurus cinereus | Common |
| Mexican Free-tailed Bat | Tadarida brasiliensis | Common |
| Seminole Bat | Lasiurus seminolus | Common |
| Evening Bat | Nycticeius humeralis | Common |
Regulations
All 17 species of bats in North Carolina are classified as nongame with no seasons for hunting or trapping (G.S. 113-129 (11e), G.S. 113-291). Four species found in North Carolina are federally threatened or endangered and 10 are listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan).
When inside buildings, bats may be evicted without any trapping necessary. Individuals may choose to evict a bat colony themselves or hire a licensed wildlife control agent to perform an eviction for them. Bat evictions performed for compensation must be carried out by a licensed wildlife control agent (G.S. 113-273 (l)). Because young bats are unable to fly for several weeks after birth, and can be trapped inside during an eviction, usually to starve, there is a moratorium in North Carolina on bat evictions during the pup-rearing season from May 1 through July 31.
Special permits are required for trapping or collecting bats for research or rehabilitation purposes. Find out how to apply for a regulated activities permit here.
Bats are rabies vector species in North Carolina, though most bats do not carry the virus. Learn more about bats and rabies through the NC Department of Health and Human Services and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Learn more about bat eviction moratoriums here.
Have a problem?
Bats are integral to healthy ecosystems worldwide. In the Tropics, bats are essential seed dispersers and pollinators, contributing to plant reproduction and forest regrowth. In northern and central America, bats are especially important pollinators of cacao (chocolate), mango, and agave (agave nectar, tequila). Here in the United States, they provide vital pest control services by consuming vast numbers of insects, including mosquitos; a nursing female bat can consume almost her entire body weight in insects in one night. Bats save the corn industry over $1 billion in free pest control every year.
Although bats are an integral part of our environment, occasionally they can become problematic when they interrupt our daily lives by entering homes, schools or other structures. Read our Coexisting with Bats document for useful tips to
Why Bats Need our Help Infographic
North Carolina Bat Acoustic Survey (NABat)