Year of the Bat

Bats are the only flying mammals in the world and can be found in nearly every habitat in Ohio. Thirteen species of bats have been recorded in Ohio—most commonly little brown and big brown bats. Many bats live near humans without ever being detected and are crucial to the environment. Bats eat their body weight in flying insects every night and are important pollinators.

Bats are divided into two main categories: cave-dwelling and migratory tree bats. Cave-dwelling bats overwinter in Ohio in caves, mines, cliffs and attics while tree bats are largely migratory.

Cave-Dwelling Bats

Big Brown Bat

Species of concern

The big brown bat’s favorite food is the cucumber beetle, which is an agricultural pest. Many farmers in Ohio use bat boxes to attract big brown bats to their properties!

Reason for decline: Habitat loss, pesticide use

Habitat: Forage near forest openings near water. Shelter in human structures, woodpiles, tree hollows and occasionally caves.

Little Brown Bat

Endangered

The little brown bat spends a great deal of time grooming. Their claws are used to groom their fur, while their tongues and teeth are used to clean wing membranes.

Reason for Decline: White-nose syndrome, wind turbines

Habitat: Forage near forests, streams, lakes. Shelter in human structures, woodpiles, tree hollows and occasionally caves.

Northern Long-eared Bat

Endangered

The Northern long-eared bats’ favorite food is moths. They are able to capture prey by plucking them from a surface rather than catching in flight.

Reason for Decline: White-nose syndrome

Habitat: Forests with spruce and pines. Typically roost in trees in summer and switch to a new roost every other day.

Eastern Small-footed Bat

Species of concern

The Eastern small-footed bat got its name from its abnormally small hind feet, which are only seven to eight millimeters long.

Reason for Decline: White-nose syndrome

Habitat: Forested hills or mountains

Indiana Bat

Endangered

Indiana bats are “tree bats” in summer and “cave bats” in winter.

Reason for Decline: Human disturbance of caves, white-nose syndrome, habitat loss

Habitat: Wooded areas near streams

Migratory Tree Bats

Hoary Bat

Species of concern

The hoary bat is Ohio’s largest bat with a wingspan of almost 17” and weight up to 35 grams.

Reason for Decline: Wind turbines

Habitat: Forests

Silver-haired Bat

Species of concern

Silver-haired bats can live up to 12 years. Natural predators of this species include great-horned owls, striped skunks and other opportunistic animals.

Reason for Decline: Habitat loss, pesticide use, disease, wind turbines

Habitat: Mature forests near water. Summer roosts include spaces under loose bark of dead, dying or injured trees, woodpecker holes or other natural tree cavities and crevices.

Eastern Red Bat

Endangered

Unlike most bats that only produce one offspring, Eastern red bats can have up to five pups in a litter.

Reason for Decline: Habitat loss, disturbance, pesticide use

Habitat: Solitary, roost in trees, shrubs and clusters of plants in the summer. Seen around streetlights at night foraging on moths.

Ohio’s Listed Species

The Ohio Division of Wildlife uses six classification categories for state-listed species:

• Endangered: A native species or subspecies threatened with extirpation from the state.
• Threatened: A species or subspecies whose survival in Ohio is not in immediate jeopardy, but to which a threat exists.
• Species of concern: A species or subspecies that might become threatened in Ohio under continued or increased stress. Also, a species or subspecies for which there is some concern but for which information is insufficient to permit an adequate status evaluation.
• Special interest: A species that occurs periodically and is capable of breeding in Ohio. It is at the edge of a larger, contiguous range with viable population(s) within the core of its range. These species have no federal endangered or threatened status, are at low breeding densities in the state and have not been recently released to enhance Ohio’s wildlife diversity.
• Extirpated: A species or subspecies that occurred in Ohio at the time of European settlement and that has since disappeared from the state.
• Extinct: A species or subspecies that occurred in Ohio at the time of European settlement and that has since disappeared from its entire range.

You can make a difference!

Bats face many obstacles. Their populations across Ohio and the world are declining rapidly due to habitat loss, white-nose syndrome, destruction of roosting sites, pesticides, wind turbines and widespread human fear of them.

There are many steps you can take to help these amazing creatures:

• Be a bat ambassador—spread the word about their amazing qualities and importance.
• Turn off unnecessary lights to promote a dark environment for bats.
• Promote natural habitat around your home by leaving dead or dying trees for bats to roost in or plant a moon garden.
• Limit the use of pesticides—bats are a great natural pest control.
• Install a bat box—providing shelter is a great way to promote a healthy environment for bats.
• Remove unwanted bats humanely by contacting a professional. It is illegal to intentionally harm or kill a bat.

Did you know?

• Bats are not rodents—they are actually more closely related to cats and dogs. In fact, humans are more closely related to rodents than bats are.
• Bats are not blind—Some bats use vision to detect light, while others have sharper vision than humans.
• Bats have a low likelihood of carrying rabies—According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, only five to six percent of bats captured were positive for rabies.

Enter to Win

Attend events held at Penitentiary Glen Reservation in 2024 to learn more about the fascinating world of bats, discover their environmental benefits and dispel myths about them. Each event will include a bat activity and sticker. Get your Bat Passport stamped at five or more events and enter to win daily prizes during Bat Week (October 24–31, 2024)!

Entries must be submitted in person at Penitentiary Glen Nature Center or by emailing a picture of your completed form to NatureCenter@lakemetroparks.com by October 2, 2024.