A bat with spectacularly long ears (over half head length) and a soft tan body. Highly cave-dependent and extremely sensitive to disturbance.

Native status: Native to western and southeastern US

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 9–11 cm; wingspan 27–34 cm
Weight7–14 g
LifespanWild 16+ years
OrderChiroptera
FamilyVespertilionidae

§ Encyclopedia

Townsend's big-eared bat is a species of vesper bat.

Source: Wikipedia — Townsend's big-eared bat Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Medium tan-brown bat with massive ears; large lumps on either side of nose.

Similar species. Other Corynorhinus species.

Voice. Ultrasonic echolocation.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Moths.

Behavior. Distinctive bat with extraordinarily long ears (~3.5 cm). Cold-tolerant; some populations don't hibernate. Listed under multiple state and federal protection categories.

§ Range

Western US into Mexico; relict eastern populations

§ Habitat

Caves, mines, lava tubes for roosting

§ Threats

Cave disturbance during hibernation, mine closures destroying roost sites, white-nose syndrome.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the townsend's big-eared bat is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Don't enter bat caves. Support gated mine entrance programs. Reduce light pollution.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Bat Conservation International
  • USFWS
  • IUCN Red List 2018