Georgia is a state not only known for its rich history and stunning landscapes but also for its diversity in bat species. The warm climate, varied habitats, and abundant food sources make it an ideal home for these creatures of the night.
With a total of 16 different bat species calling Georgia their home, the state evokes a marvel for any spelunker or chiropterologist.
As bats love a tropical climate, Georgia might not have a high number of bat species compared to other states and countries in the tropics, but it’s relatively close to the Tropic of Cancer.
So, some species of bats in Georgia have a somewhat high population while some are a bit rare if not completely extinct. Let’s check how skillfully and effectively each of the 16 bat species in Georgia thrives and survives!
Contents
All About The 16 Bat Species In Georgia
The number of Bat species in Georgia is not too high but not too low as well. It is one of the US states to have a fair amount of species and bat populations to inhabit. Let’s see how it became a favorite for the bats!
Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bat
Source: @pricelsewell
- Scientific Name: Corynorhinus rafinesquii
- Size: 7.5 to 10 cm (3.0 to 3.9 in)
- Locality: Southeastern United States
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: September to October
As the name suggests, Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bat is known for its distinctive large ears compared to its body. The ears aid with their hearing so that they can navigate and locate their prey smoothly in complete darkness.
Recognition
The ears of Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bats can reach up to 4 cm (1.5 in) in length which can be almost half of their length. Apart from having large ears, these bats have fur that is typically brown or grayish-brown, with a slightly paler underside.
Habitat
Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bats mostly inhabit the Southeastern parts of Georgia along with other nearby states of the US. They inhabit a range of habitats, including deciduous forests, caves, mines, and occasionally abandoned buildings or bridges.
Big Brown Bat
Source: @abstract_artifact
- Scientific Name: Eptesicus fuscus
- Size: 32.5 to 35 cm (12.8 to 13.8 in)
- Locality: Southern North America and Part of Northern South America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Fall and Winter
The big Brown Bat is not only one most common species in Georgia but also in the entire North America. They are relatively long-lived, with individuals capable of reaching ages of up to 20 years or more in the wild.
Recognition
Big Brown Bats have strong wings with relatively long and narrow forearms. Their key trait is to have velvety, glossy fur that is typically dark brown, although variations in shade can occur. Their ears are short and rounded, and their face has a broad, fleshy appearance.
Habitat
These bats are so adaptable that they can live almost anywhere including forests, open woodlands, urban areas, and even agricultural landscapes. They typically roost in a variety of structures such as tree cavities, buildings, attics, and caves.
Silver-Haired Bat
Source: @dcrvirginia
- Scientific Name: Lasionycteris noctivagans
- Size: 9 to 11.3 cm (3½ to 4⅜ in)
- Locality: Central North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: September to October
Silver-Haired Bats are so small that they can fit in your palm. They are slightly unsocial and prefer to roost alone or in small groups. They also have a unique trait of liking cooler climates compared to other bat species.
Recognition
Silver-Haired Bat is named for its characteristic silver-gray dense and silky fur, which covers its entire body and gives it a striking appearance. One of the notable features of these bats is their slightly prominent ears, which have a distinctive rounded shape.
Habitat
These small bats prefer to inhabit places with little disturbance. Old-grown forests and grasslands are their primary preference. Normally they roost in tree cavities, under loose tree bark, or in buildings. But in the winter, they seek out caves, mines, or other suitable underground locations for hibernation.
Eastern Red Bat
Source: @pabatrescue
- Scientific Name: Lasiurus borealis
- Size: 10.9 cm (4.3 in)
- Locality: Eastern North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: September to October
Eastern Red Bats are known for their maneuverability and quick flies. They might be small but can fly fast. It comes in handy when they have to survive predators such as owls, crows, and hawks.
Recognition
One of the distinguishing features of Eastern Red Bats is their long, furry tail, which extends beyond the tail membrane. Their fur is dense and soft with a reddish-orange color that varies in intensity. The fur on their back and breast can sometimes have shades of white or gray.
Habitat
Eastern Red Bats are mostly seen in forest edges and hedgerows. They are also frequently observed in forests, including both deciduous and mixed forests. Areas near rivers, streams, or other bodies of water are also their favorite place to inhabit.
Hoary Bat
Source: @batworldsanctuary
- Scientific Name: Lasiurus cinereus
- Size: 13 to 14.5 cm (5.1 to 5.7 in)
- Locality: North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: September to October
Hoary Bat gets its name from the frosty or “hoary” appearance of its fur, which defines it from other bat species in Georgia. They are one of the few bats species that love to stay alone or in small groups at most.
Recognition
Hoary Bats have long, silky fur that varies in color from dark brown to grayish-brown, with noticeable white or silver tips, giving them a frosted appearance. Another distinguishing feature of Hoary Bats is their prominent, furry ears, which are relatively short and rounded.
Habitat
These bats love to stay in dense forests and trees in urban areas that produce enough shade and darkness for them to live in peace. They rely on the trees within these habitats for roosting during the day and foraging during the night.
Northern Yellow Bat
Source: @southfloridawildlifecenter
- Scientific Name: Lasiurus intermedius
- Size: 14 cm (5.5 in)
- Locality: Coastal Region of Southeastern North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: September to October
Northern Yellow Bats seek permanency when it comes to water sources. They do not settle in a place unless there is a lasting water body nearby. They are also not known to be migratory and are a species of concern in Georgia.
Recognition
Northern Yellow Bats have a very distinguishable soft, short fur that is typically a vibrant yellow or golden color. They have pinkish ears that are somewhat round but slightly pointy at the ends. They also have a relatively short, broad nose and small, sharp teeth.
Habitat
These bats are found in very selective areas of the coastal regions on the Eastern parts of the continent. They live near large and open water bodies or fields and live on large trees. They tend to prefer oak trees and Spanish moss the most.
Seminole Bat
Source: @pabatrescue
- Scientific Name: Lasiurus seminolus
- Size: 10.8 to 11.4 cm (4.2 to 4.4 in)
- Locality: Southeastern North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: November to December
Spanish moss is an absolute favorite of Seminole Bats. So much so that one of the reasons their distribution is limited is believed to be the absence of Spanish moss. They are also one of the less migratory and unsocial species of bats.
Recognition
Seminole Bats are very closely related to the Eastern Red Bat and share some physical similarities. However, they are not as prominently red or yellowish as the Eastern Red Bats. Instead, they have silver tips on the fur.
Habitat
Seminole Bats are primarily found in forested areas, including pine forests, hardwood forests, and swamps. It is known to inhabit both upland and lowland areas. They tend to look for easy flying paths like on islands and prairie edges.
Southeastern Bat
Source: @trailblazier_
- Scientific Name: Myotis austroriparius
- Size: 8 to 10 cm(3½ to 4 in)
- Locality: Southeastern United States
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: Mid-February to Mid-April
Southeastern bats have a unique trait of typically giving birth to twins. However, they also have a higher mortality rate in the first few weeks after being born. They are also social and build large maternity colonies.
Recognition
Southeastern Bats have a relatively broad face with large, rounded ears. The fur of this bat is usually dark brown or gray-brown, and its underbelly is typically whitish. Their fur is known to be a little woolly and they have long toe hairs.
Habitat
These bats tend to stay close to wetland and riparian habitats, including swamps, marshes, floodplain forests, and areas near water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and ponds. They are also known to roost in man-made structures such as buildings and bridges.
Gray Bat
Source: @nuts_about_nature_
- Scientific Name: Myotis grisescens
- Size: 4 to 4.6 cm (1.5 to 1.8 in)
- Locality: Southeastern United States
- Status: Vulnerable
- Breeding Season: September to November
Gray Bats are very picky when it comes to choosing their cave. They seek out caves that have stable microclimates, with high humidity levels and a relatively constant temperature range to protect themselves from extreme temperature fluctuations and predators.
Recognition
These bats have uniform gray or grayish-brown fur, which gives them their common name. The fur is short, dense, and soft. They have a relatively broad face with large ears and rounded projections within the ear.
Habitat
The Gray Bat has a strong association with caves and underground habitats. It is seen in karst landscapes, which are characterized by limestone or dolomite bedrock that can form caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers. They tend to roost in large colonies within caves.
Eastern Small-Footed Bat
Source: @pricelsewell
- Scientific Name: Myotis leibii
- Size: 7.5 to 8.5 cm (2.9 to 3.3 in)
- Locality: Southeastern United States
- Status: Endangered
- Breeding Season: August to September
Eastern Small-Footed Bats are one of the smallest bats not only in Georgia but also in North America. They seek stability and require caves with stable temperature and humidity conditions to survive through the winter months.
Recognition
These little bats have short, glossy fur that is typically a dark brown or reddish-brown color, while their belly fur tends to be paler. One distinguishing feature of this bat is its small feet, which are disproportionately tiny compared to its body size.
Habitat
Eastern Small-Footed Bats inhabit rocky, upland habitats, often favoring limestone or sandstone regions. They are commonly found in forested areas, including deciduous and mixed forests of high altitude.
Little Brown Bat
Source: @rockbottomfarmme
- Scientific Name: Myotis lucifugus
- Size: 8 to 9.5 cm (3.1 to 3.7 in)
- Locality: United States
- Status: Endangered
- Breeding Season: September to October
Little Brown Bats are an endangered species because of their habitat loss and death from wind turbines. They are also declining because of the White Nose Syndrome disease that is threatening among bat populations.
Recognition
They have short, glossy brown fur, just like their common name explains. The fur is typically dark brown on the back and lighter brown on the belly. This bat has a relatively broad face with large, dark eyes and ears that are moderately long and pointed.
Habitat
Little Brown Bats commonly seek shelter in caves and mines during the winter. While in the summer, they can be found in a variety of locations including trees, man-made structures, bat houses, under rocks, and in piles of wood.
Northern Long-Eared Bat
Source: @nibatgroup
- Scientific Name: Myotis septentrionalis
- Size: 8.6 cm (3.4 in)
- Locality: Eastern North America
- Status: Near Threatened
- Breeding Season: September to October
Northern Long-Eared Bats come together to beat the winter. They require cold, stable environments to survive the winter months, and hibernating in clusters helps them conserve energy.
Recognition
These little bats have long ears, which extend beyond the tip of its nose when laid forward. The fur of this bat is typically brown or gray-brown, with a slightly lighter underside. They have a narrow, elongated muzzle and a relatively short tail.
Habitat
Northern Long-Eared Bat is commonly associated with mature deciduous forests. They roost in tree cavities, such as old woodpecker holes, snags, and hollow trees. They may also use crevices in rocks, buildings, and bat boxes as roosting sites.
Indiana Bat
Source: @keepkywild
- Scientific Name: Myotis sodalis
- Size: 4.1 to 4.9 cm (1⅝ to 1⅞ in)
- Locality: Southeastern United States
- Status: Near Threatened
- Breeding Season: Late August to Early October
Indiana Bats are known for their clustering characteristic. During hibernation, they form such dense clusters that they gather up to 3200 bats per square meter. Cave disturbances are one of the biggest threats to them.
Recognition
Indiana Bats have dark brown or grayish-brown fur, which is usually lighter on the underside. This bat has a slightly flattened face, large ears, and a distinctive pinkish or buff-colored snout. It also has a keel-shaped calcar, a bony structure.
Habitat
One of the most unique habits of Indiana Bats is that they form large groups and almost all the population migrate to several caves of the Southeastern United States during hibernation. During the summer, they primarily roost in trees within mature, deciduous forests.
Evening Bat
Source: @austinbatrefuge
- Scientific Name: Nycticeius humeralis
- Size: 8.7 cm (3.4 in)
- Locality: Southeastern North America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: September to October
Evening Bats give birth to one of the largest pups in the mammal kingdom compared to the size of the mother. They have a relatively short life span but have a higher reproduction rate, making them a species that is not threatened.
Recognition
They have dark brown or reddish-brown fur, which can vary slightly in hue. These bats have a robust body with a rounded face, large eyes, and prominent ears. Their wings are long and narrow, helpful for agile flight.
Habitat
These bats are associated with forests and rarely approach caves. However, sometimes they are seen forming swarms at cave entrances. They mostly rest in tree cavities but sometimes they also stay in wooden buildings.
Tricolored Bat
Source: @paullovesplants
- Scientific Name: Perimyotis subflavus
- Size: 4 to 4.8 cm (1.75 in)
- Locality: Southeastern United States
- Status: Vulnerable
- Breeding Season: August to September
Tricolored Bats are one of the most common cave-dwelling species despite the decline in their numbers. They mostly hibernate in solitude but sometimes several groups have also been found by researchers.
Recognition
The fur of Tricolored Bats ranges from pale yellowish or buff-colored at the base to dark brown or reddish-brown at the tips, creating a tricolored appearance like its name. This bat has a broad face, large ears, and a relatively short, rounded snout.
Habitat
During the winter, Tri-Colored Bats seek out various types of roosting sites, including caves, mines, cave-like tunnels, trees, and roadway culverts. In the summer, they primarily roost in the foliage of dead or live trees but can also be found in caves, mines, rock crevices, bridges, and culverts.
Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat
Source: @sidteixeira
- Scientific Name: Tadarida brasiliensis
- Size: 7.9 to 9.8 cm (3.1 to 3.8 in)
- Locality: Southern North America and Parts of South America
- Status: Least Concern
- Breeding Season: March and Early April
Brazilian Free-Tailed Bats are known for their huge maternity colonies during the breeding season. Each colony can consist of thousands and even millions of individuals.
Recognition
They have a distinctively long tail, which extends beyond the edge of their tail membrane, hence their name. They have short, coarse fur that is typically dark brown or grayish-brown in color. They have a noticeable streamlined body with long, narrow wings, and a narrow, pointed face.
Habitat
They are commonly found in diverse ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and urban areas. They often select warm and protected structures such as caves, crevices, buildings, and bridges as roosting sites. Hence Georgia is their year-round habitat.
Thoughts
The bats found in Georgia might not be exclusive to Georgia but they surely love the state for its mild temperature and geological functionality.
As you might have noticed how some of the species are endangered due to habitat loss, Georgia is still one of the favorite regions for bats to reside.
Now that you know which species are lessening in number, you can always try to protect their population if you ever come across one!
After all, bats play a vital role in the ecosystem and their numbers keep nature harmonious. So, along with the wildlife protection organizations of the state of Georgia, we individuals may also contribute to protecting the bat-talion!
