Family: Vespertilionidae, Vespertilionid Bats view all from this family

Description Mahogany brown, with slight silver frosting. Interfemoral membrane furred above. Ears short and rounded; tragus very short. L 4 1/4–4 1/2" (108–114 mm); T 1 3/4–2" (44–52 mm); HF 1/4– 3/8" (8–9 mm); FA 1 3/8"–1 3/4" (35–45 mm); E average 3/8" (9 mm); Wt 1/4–1/2 oz (7–14 g).

Warning Bats are susceptible to rabies, a serious viral disease that results in death if untreated. Rabid bats rarely attack humans or other animals, but bats found lying on the ground may be rabid. Never touch or pick up any bat. Stay away from any animal that seems to be acting strangely and report it to animal-control officers. If you are bitten by a possibly rabid animal, you must immediately consult a doctor for a series of injections; there is no cure once symptoms emerge.

Similar Species Red bats are much more reddish. Yellow bats are yellowish. Hoary Bat is much larger and heavily frosted.

Breeding Usually 3 or 4 young, born late May–early June.

Habitat Forested or semi-forested areas. Roosts in trees in clumps of Spanish moss

Range Southeastern U.S. from e Texas to e North Carolina.

Discussion Little is known of the habits of this solitary bat, which is found in the homelands of the Seminole Indians and is locally abundant wherever Spanish moss occurs. By day, it generally hangs 3 1/2 to 5 feet (1–1.5 m) above the ground in clumps of Spanish moss that have clear areas beneath, permitting a downward fall into flight. Its foods consist of true bugs, beetles, flies, and dragonflies.