Western red bat. Roosts in trees.

Native status: Native to western US

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 9–12 cm; wingspan 28–35 cm
Weight8–14 g
LifespanWild 12+ years
OrderChiroptera
FamilyVespertilionidae

§ Encyclopedia

The western red bat or desert red bat is a species of microbat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is found in western North America and Central America.

Source: Wikipedia — Western red bat Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Medium brown to red-brown bat; lighter than eastern red bat.

Similar species. Eastern Red Bat (different range). Hoary Bat (frosted).

Voice. Ultrasonic echolocation.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Flying insects (moths primary).

Behavior. Western US tree-roosting bat. Suffers high mortality at wind turbines.

§ Range

Western US

§ Habitat

Riparian forests

§ Threats

Habitat loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the western red bat is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support riparian habitat conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Bat Conservation International
  • IUCN Red List 2018