Big brown bat
Eptesicus fuscus
The Big brown bat is one of the largest and most robust members of the vespertilionid family commonly encountered in North America. This sturdy bat...
Bat Species in Texas
A reference guide to the 18 bat species found in Texas. Tap any card to read the full description, diet, habitat, roosting behavior, and conservation status. Texas Wildlife Specialists handles humane removal and exclusion for any bats roosting in your home or business.
The 23 species
Tap any card for full details on description, diet, habitat, roosting behavior, and conservation status.
Big free-tailed bat
Nyctinomops macrotis
The Big free-tailed bat is a medium-sized molossid characterized by exceptionally long, narrow wings designed for rapid, sustained flight in open airspace. The pelage is...
Brazilian (Mexican) free-tailed bat
Tadarida brasiliensis
The official state flying mammal of Texas. Famous for forming some of the largest aggregations of mammals on Earth, including the Bracken Cave and Congress Avenue Bridge colonies near San Antonio and Austin.
Spotted bat
Euderma maculatum
The Spotted bat is arguably the most visually striking bat species in North America, with a color pattern unlike any other mammal. The dorsal pelage...
Townsend's big-eared bat
Corynorhinus townsendii
Townsend's big-eared bat is distinguished by enormous ears (30 to 40 mm long when extended) that are even more prominent than the bat's head length, giving it...
Hoary bat
Lasiurus cinereus
The Hoary bat is one of the largest, most beautiful, and most distinctive bats in North America, with pelage that appears frosted or hoary (giving...
Western red bat
Lasiurus blossevillii
The Western red bat is a medium-sized tree bat with striking coloration and beautiful, dense fur. The species shows pronounced sexual dichromatism, males typically display bright...
Silver-haired bat
Lasionycteris noctivagans
The Silver-haired bat is a medium-sized, strikingly beautiful bat characterized by its unique silver-frosted appearance. The dorsal pelage is dark brown to blackish-brown with conspicuous...
Pallid bat
Antrozous pallidus
The Pallid bat is a large, distinctive bat easily recognized by its very pale coloration, enormous ears, and unusual foraging behavior. The dorsal pelage is...
Yuma myotis
Myotis yumanensis
The Yuma myotis is a small to medium-sized member of the Myotis genus with relatively dull coloration and a strong association with aquatic habitats. The...
Long-legged myotis
Myotis volans
The Long-legged myotis is a medium-sized member of the Myotis genus named for its proportionally longer hind legs, though this feature is difficult to observe...
California myotis
Myotis californicus
The California myotis is among the smallest bats in North America, characterized by tiny size, relatively dull coloration, and plain features. The dorsal pelage ranges...
Fringed myotis
Myotis thysanodes
The Fringed myotis is a medium-sized Myotis with distinctive features that, once observed, make identification straightforward. The defining characteristic is a conspicuous fringe of short,...
Western small-footed myotis
Myotis ciliolabrum
The Western small-footed myotis is one of the smallest bat species in North America, characterized by tiny size, small feet, and variable but often pale...
Canyon bat
Parastrellus hesperus
The Canyon bat (formerly Western pipistrelle) is the smallest bat species in North America and among the smallest in the world, making it instantly recognizable...
Eastern red bat
Lasiurus borealis
One of the most common bats across East and Central Texas. Distinguished by bright orange-red fur, long pointed wings, and a habit of roosting alone in tree foliage rather than caves or buildings.
Cave myotis
Myotis velifer
One of the most abundant bats in Central and West Texas, especially in the Hill Country. Forms large colonies in limestone caves, abandoned mines, and under bridges, with some Texas roosts numbering in the tens of thousands.
Evening bat
Nycticeius humeralis
Extremely common across East Texas. Often mistaken for a juvenile Big brown bat. Roosts in tree cavities and behind shutters or siding on buildings, making it one of the most frequently encountered house bats east of the Pecos.
Tricolored bat
Perimyotis subflavus
Tiny yellowish-brown bat found across East and Central Texas. Each hair has three color bands (dark base, yellow middle, brown tip), giving the species its name. Severely impacted by White-Nose Syndrome and proposed for federal endangered species listing.
Seminole bat
Lasiurus seminolus
A close cousin of the Eastern red bat with deep mahogany-red fur, found primarily in the pine forests of East Texas. Roosts solitarily in Spanish moss and pine foliage rather than buildings or caves.
Rafinesque's big-eared bat
Corynorhinus rafinesquii
A medium-sized bat with very long ears, found in the bottomland hardwood forests of East Texas. Strongly associated with hollow tupelo and bald cypress trees and abandoned buildings. Listed as Threatened in Texas.
Ghost-faced bat
Mormoops megalophylla
A distinctive medium-sized bat with elaborate flaps of skin around the chin and face, found in South and West Texas. Forms enormous colonies in caves and abandoned mines, with some Texas roosts historically holding hundreds of thousands.
Mexican long-tongued bat
Choeronycteris mexicana
An unusual nectar-feeding bat with an elongated muzzle and a long extensible tongue, found in far West Texas in the Big Bend region. Pollinates agave and night-blooming cacti.
All Texas bats are protected
We follow Texas Parks & Wildlife regulations and use humane methods approved by wildlife authorities. The only legal way to remove bats from a building is humane exclusion.