top of page
an illustrated knowledgebase helping connect local folks & local nature in Delaware County, IN
Skip to a specific bat
Meet Muncie's Microbats
9 species of bats may be found in Delaware County, with 13 total species documented throughout our state.
BUT FIRST, A QUICK SAFETY CHECK:
never touch a wild bat!
Find a nearby, permitted wildlife rehabilitator here.
SCROLL DOWN TO START LEARNING, OR SKIP TO A BAT:
Bats [Chiroptera] are the 2nd largest order of mammals – with 1,400+ species worldwide! They play key roles in global ecosystems by providing pest control (insects), pollinating plants (agave, guava), dispersing fruit seeds (avocados, bananas), & dropping nutrients (guano) that support cave-dwelling insects and amphibians. Scroll down to learn about our local bats!
all bats in Indiana share the following:
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Subphylum:
Class:
Subclass:
Infraclass:
Order:
Suborder:
Family:
Animalia [animals]
Chordata [chordates]
Vertebrata [vertebrates]
Mammalia [mammals]
Theria [live-bearing mammals]
Eutheria [placental mammals]
Chiroptera [bats]
Microchiroptera [microbats]
Vespertilionidae [evening + vesper bats]
*our local bats have different subfamilies, genera (genus), & species.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
-
free pest control by eating harmful & pesky insects (helps farmers & the crops we eat!)
HABITAT
-
use of forests (woodlands, wetlands, & riparian areas)
THREATS
-
White-nose syndrome (WNS)
-
habitat loss (deforestation), invasive species, and cave/mine disturbances
-
climate change (severe & frequent changes in weather patterns)
-
pollutants (use of pesticides & herbicides)
-
wind turbines
-
harmful myths and misinformation
DIET
-
insects (mosquitoes, beetles, stink bugs, & moths)
TRAITS
-
use of echolocation
-
nocturnal (active at night)
-
plain noses (no nose leaf)
-
ears possess a tragus
-
small eyes
-
long tails
General bat info
Now, let's meet our local bats!
USE THIS CONSERVATION STATUS KEY:
SC = State Special Concern
SE = State Endangered
FT = Federal Threatened
FE = Federal Endangered
Conservation key
Helpful terms
& THESE HELPFUL TERMS:
Calcar = a cartilage, spike-shaped structure that arises from the ankle and extends toward the tail (a spur)
Calcar (Keeled) = a calcar that extends/protrudes the tail membrane (look for a triangle shape near feet)
Conservation = the act of keeping & protecting from waste, loss, or destruction
Deforestation = the cutting down of forests or groups of trees for non-forest use
Echolocation = process of locating objects using sound waves (used for navigation, hunting, & social calls)
Ecosystem = all living and non-living things in an area (plants, animals, soil, water, air)
Extirpated = a species that is no longer observed in a specific region (some call it a "local extinction")
Foliage = the leaves, flowers, and branches of a tree
Forage = to search for food
Fragmentation = process of a large habitat area being transformed into smaller, isolated patches
Hibernacula = a place where bats hibernate during winter (caves, mines, crevices in rocks, built structures)
Invasive Species = species not native to where they are found (can disturb local ecosystems)
Maternity Colony = a temporary gathering of pregnant female bats for giving birth & raising baby bats (pups!)
Migratory = species that migrate (most bat species that roost in trees during summer migrate south for winter)
Myotinae = mouse-eared, silver-haired, and wing-gland bats (a subfamily of Vespertilionidae, vesper bats)
Nocturnal = active at night
Pesticide = a chemical substance used to kill insects that harms plants and crops (& the animals that eat them)
Riparian area = relating to or living or located on the banks of a natural waterway (river, stream, reservoir)
Roost = any place wild bats live (trees, caves, mines, built structures, & sometimes bat boxes)
Tragus = a cartilage structure within the ear, located in front of ear canal (assists in echolocation)
Uropatagium = membrane stretching between legs, encompassing all/parts of tail (assists in flight)
Vespertilioninae = evening, forest, pipistrelle, & serotine bats (a subfamily of Vespertilionidae, vesper bats)
Wetlands = areas where water covers or floods the soil (marshes, swamps)
White-nose Syndrome (WNS) = fungal disease killing cave-dwelling bats in North America (whitenosesyndrome.org)
Woodlands = land covered with trees
Can't find a word you're looking for? Check out the glossary for more terms & resources.
Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis)
Myotis sodalis
INDIANA BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Species confirmed with WNS.
Status = SE & FE
Subfamily = Myotinae
Genus = Myotis [mouse-eared bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3 - 3½ inches
Weight = 5 - 11 grams
Wingspan = 9½ - 10½ inches
Lifespan = 15 years (average)
Fur = dark gray to brown above & gray below; soft & fluffy
Tragus = slender & pointed
Calcar = keeled
Other = short toe hairs; wings & body are same color
ROOSTING HABITS
Summer = forest trees (cavities/crevices; loose bark)
Winter = caves & mines
Size = small to large groups, in tight clusters
Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)
Eptesicus fuscus
BIG BROWN BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Species confirmed with WNS.
Status =
Subfamily = Vespertilioninae
Genus = Eptesicus [big brown, forest, & serotine bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 4½ - 5 inches
Weight = 13 - 25 grams
Wingspan = 13 inches (average)
Lifespan = up to 20 years
Fur = two-toned, black base with brown tips; long; oily
Tragus = broad & rounded
Calcar = keeled
Other = short, blunt ears; black snout, ears, & wing membrane; very large bat
ROOSTING HABITS
Summer = forest trees (cavities/crevices; loose bark) & structures
Winter = caves, mines, & structures
Size = solitary, or small groups
This species will use a bat house.
Photo descriptions:
Petunia eating a mealworm & Chocolate; 2 big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) photographed during an Indiana Master Naturalist class on local bats, led by Dr. Tim Carter.
2019 Kortnie Huffman
meet 2 local big brown bats!
Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus)
LITTLE BROWN BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Species confirmed with WNS.
Status = SE
Subfamily = Myotinae
Genus = Myotis [mouse-eared bats]
Myotis lucifugus
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 2½ - 4 inches
Weight = 7 - 8 grams
Wingspan = 8¾ - 10½ inches
Lifespan = 6 - 10 years (average)
Fur = tan to dark brown; long; glossy
Tragus = slender & pointed
Calcar = no keel
Other = long toe hairs (extend beyond claws); dark wings
ROOSTING HABITS
Summer = forest trees (cavities/crevices) & structures
Winter = caves, mines, & structures
Size = small to large groups, in tight clusters
This species will use a bat house.
Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus)
Perimyotis subflavus
TRICOLORED BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Species confirmed with WNS.
Status = SE
Subfamily = Vespertilioninae
Genus = Perimyotis
Formerly known as the eastern pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus).
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3 - 3½ inches
Weight = 4 - 7 grams
Wingspan = 8½ - 10 inches
Lifespan = 4 - 8 years (average)
Fur = "tricolored" – brown to tan to orange
Tragus = blunt & straight
Calcar = no keel
Other = pink forearms; black wings
ROOSTING HABITS
Summer = forest trees (cavities/crevices; foliage)
Winter = caves & mines
Size = solitary, or small groups
Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis)
Myotis septentrionalis
NORTHERN LONG-EARED BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Species confirmed with WNS.
Status = SE & FT
Subfamily = Myotinae
Genus = Myotis [mouse-eared bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3 inches (average)
Weight = 5 - 10 grams
Wingspan = 9 - 10 inches
Lifespan = up to 18 years
Fur = grayish below, brown on top; dull
Tragus = very long & slender
Calcar = keeled
Other = large ears
ROOSTING HABITS
Summer = forest trees (cavities/crevices; loose bark) & under bridges or porches
Winter = caves & mines
Size = solitary, or very small groups
This species will use a bat house.
Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans)
SILVER-HAIRED BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Status = SC
Subfamily = Myotinae
Genus = Lasionycteris [silver-haired bats]
Lasionycteris noctivagans
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3½ - 4½ inches
Weight = 7 - 16 grams
Wingspan = 10½ - 12 inches
Lifespan = 5 - 10 years
Fur = black or dark brown with silver/white frosted tips
Tragus = blunt & rounded
Calcar = no keel
Other = completely furred; black ears
ROOSTING HABITS (MIGRATORY)
Spring-Fall = trees (cavities/crevices; loose bark; leaf litter; occasionally in walls, attics, or caves
Winter = migrates south
Size = solitary, or small groups
Evening Bat (Nycticeius humeralis)
Nycticeius humeralis
EVENING BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Status = SE
Subfamily = Vespertilioninae
Genus = Nycticeius [evening bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3 inches (average)
Weight = 5 - 14 grams
Wingspan = 10 - 11 inches
Lifespan = 2 years (average)
Fur = dark brown
Tragus = short & rounded
Calcar = no keel
Other = black ears; only 2 upper incisors; strong odor
ROOSTING HABITS (MIGRATORY)
Summer = trees (cavities/crevices; loose bark; leaf litter); buildings
Winter = migrates south
Size = small to large groups
This species will use a bat house.
Hoary Bat (Nycticeius humeralis)
Lasiurus cinereus
HOARY BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Status = SC
Subfamily = Vespertilioninae
Genus = Lasiurus [hairy-tailed bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 5 - 6 inches
Weight = 20 - 35 grams
Wingspan = 17 inches (average)
Lifespan = 2 years (average)
Fur = marbled (orange, yellow, brown) with heavy frosted tips
Tragus = short, blunt, & curved
Calcar = keeled
Other = completely furred; very large bat
ROOSTING HABITS (MIGRATORY)
Summer = trees (foliage; loose bark; leaf litter)
Winter = migrates south
Size = solitary, or with young
Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis)
Lasiurus borealis
EASTERN RED BAT
Species found in Delaware County / East Central Indiana.
Status = SC
Subfamily = Vespertilioninae
Genus = Lasiurus [hairy-tailed bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3½ - 4½ inches
Weight = 8 - 16 grams
Wingspan = 13 inches (average)
Lifespan = up to 8 years
Fur = bright orange/brown/red; frosted white tips (females)
Tragus = short, blunt, & curved
Calcar = keeled
Other = completely furred
ROOSTING HABITS (MIGRATORY)
Summer = trees (foliage; loose bark; leaf litter)
Winter = migrates south
Size = solitary, or with young
Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii)
Corynorhinus rafinesquii
RAFINESQUE'S BIG-EARED BAT
[EXTIRPATED] Species last recorded in Indiana in 1962; was found in Delaware County / ECI
Status = SC
Subfamily = Vespertilioninae
Genus = Corynorhinus [North American big-eared bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 4 inches (average)
Weight = 8 - 14 grams
Wingspan = 10 - 12 inches
Lifespan = up to 10 years
Fur = brownish-gray; dull
Tragus = broad, long, & pointed
Calcar = keeled
Other = huge ears; long toe hairs; large nose glands
ROOSTING HABITS
Summer = trees (hollow; cavities/crevices)
Winter = caves & mines; abandoned houses
Size = solitary, or very small groups
Southeastern Bat (Myotis austroriparius)
Myotis austroriparius
SOUTHEASTERN BAT
[EXTIRPATED] Species last recorded in Indiana in 1977; was found in Southern Indiana.
Status = SC
Subfamily = Myotinae
Genus = Myotis [mouse-eared bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3 - 4 inches
Weight = 5 - 12 grams
Wingspan = 9½ - 10½ inches
Lifespan = 4 - 8 years (average)
Fur = gray to brown (females more orange); wooly & dull
Tragus = slender & pointed
Calcar = no keel
Other = long toe hairs; gray to black wings
ROOSTING HABITS (MIGRATORY)
All = caves; occasionally structures (attics, barns, bridges) & trees (hollow; cavities/crevices)
Size = small to large groups; clusters
Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens)
Myotis grisescens
GRAY BAT
Species found in Southern Indiana.
Species confirmed with WNS.
Status = SE & FE (1976)
Subfamily = Myotinae
Genus = Myotis [mouse-eared bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3 - 4 inches
Weight = 7 - 12 grams
Wingspan = 10 - 11 inches
Lifespan = up to 15 years
Fur = gray & short
Tragus = sharp
Calcar = no keel
Other = wing attached to ankle; all gray fur
ROOSTING HABITS (MIGRATORY)
All = caves only
Size = small to large groups; clusters
Myotis leibii
Easterm Small-footed Bat (Myotis leibii)
EASTERN SMALL-FOOTED BAT
Species found in Southern Indiana; first recorded 2009.
Species confirmed with WNS.
Status = SC
Subfamily = Myotinae
Genus = Myotis [mouse-eared bats]
CHARACTERISTICS
Length = 3 - 3½ inches
Weight = 4 - 6 grams
Wingspan = 8½ - 9 inches
Lifespan = 6 - 12 years
Fur = golden-brown, darker on top; glossy
Tragus = sharp (narrow & pointed)
Calcar = keeled (sharply)
Other = black mask; long tail; very small bat
ROOSTING HABITS (MIGRATORY)
Summer = caves, mines, bridges, buildings, & trees (cavities/crevices; loose bark)
Winter = caves
Size = solitary, or very small groups
This species will use a bat house.
INDIANA IS HOME TO SOME PRETTY COOL BATS!
Keep scrolling to learn about bat traits, habitats, and threats.
(& how we can help!)
TRAITS
Traits
MOST BATS SLEEP WHILE HANGING
UPSIDE DOWN
THE CALCAR IS
A CARTILAGE
STRUCTURE ARISING FROM THE ANKLE & GOING TOWARD TAIL
Look for a calcar with no keel on the Gray Bat!
THE TRAGUS IS A CARTILAGE
STRUCTURE WITHIN THE EAR
Look for a long, pointy tragus on
the Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat!
MICROBATS ARE NOCTURNAL
They are active at night and can eat up to 3,000 insects per feeding!
Look for long toe hairs on the Southeastern Bat!
SOME BATS CAN ONLY BE IDENTIFIED BY THE LENGTH OF THEIR
TOE HAIRS!
CHIROPTERA=
HAND+WING
Bat sonar
Returning sound waves
WHAT IS
ECHOLOCATION?
Echolocation is the process of locating objects using sound waves. Bats send high-frequency sound waves through the air from their mouths or noses, and listen for echoes when it bounces off nearby objects – like insects or structures. All bats found in our region use echolocation to navigate through the air, find insects to eat, and communicate with other bats.
Hit play to hear echolocation calls of a big brown bat:
00:00 / 00:13
Audio: 10x time expanded big brown bat calls with feeding buzz
Recorded by Katy Warner / CWU, provided by National Park Service
Habitat - Forests
HABITAT – FORESTS
(woodlands, wetlands, or riparian areas)
FORESTS PROVIDE BATS WITH:
– places to forage for insects (moths, beetles, mosquitoes, stink bugs)
– places to roost in live or dead trees (under loose bark, in cavities/crevices, or foliage – leaves, branches)
– places for maternity colonies to give birth and raise pups (baby bats!)
– places to drink (big, open bodies of fresh water)
BATS PROVIDE FORESTS (AND NEARBY FARMS) WITH:
– fertilizer for plants & trees from their guano (bat droppings)
– natural pest control for plants (and crops) by eating thousands of destructive insects every night
& in other regions, bats are key pollinators (agave, guava) & seed dispersers (avocados, bananas)
Trees & land located on the banks of our West Fork White River are examples of a riparian area where local bats may roost, drink fresh water, and feed on insects!
LOCAL BATS ROOST IN THE TREES OF CENTRAL U.S. HARDWOOD FORESTS
(OAK, HICKORY, BEECH, MAPLE, ASH, BIRCH, ELM)
Some bats roost in tree foliage, like this Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis)!
Habitat - Caves
HABITAT – CAVES
(and abandoned mines)
CAVES PROVIDE BATS WITH:
– places to roost with a consistent environment (temperature, humidity, & air flow)
– places for maternity colonies to give birth and raise pups (baby bats!)
– places to hibernate during winter (hibernacula)
– protection from most predators (hawks, falcons, owls, raccoons, weasels)
BATS PROVIDE CAVES WITH:
– important nutrients (food) from their guano (bat droppings) to support cave-dwelling insects & amphibians
interested in studying or exploring caves? become a
SPELEOLOGIST
( CAVE ◦ TO STUDY ◦ PERSON )
can you spot the bat?
Photo description: a bat on "Penny Ceiling" in Dripstone Trail, Marengo Cave (a U.S. National Natural Landmark in Indiana). 2021 Kortnie Huffman
Threats & how to help
CURRENT THREATS
(and how we can help!)
HABITAT LOSS
What's causing less natural space for bats?
-
removal of trees; clearing of forests & draining of wetlands for development and roads
-
pesticides harm native pollinators that are needed for bat food (insects)
-
invasive plant species (like garlic mustard & honeysuckle) crowd out native plants & trees needed for insects
-
cave/mine disturbances harm hibernating bats & maternity colonies (moms & pups)
-
climate change creates extreme weather events and warmer temperatures which harm hibernating bats
WIND ENERGY TURBINES
In North America, 3 migratory "tree bats" make up 78.4% of the reported bat deaths due to fatal collisions with wind turbines:
-
Hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus); 38%
-
Eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis); 22%
-
Silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans); 18.4%
WHITE-NOSE SYNDROME (WNS)
Since 2006, White-nose Syndrome has killed millions of hibernating "cave bats" in North America. Humans can spread the fungal disease between caves on shoes, clothes, & gear. We have seven species that have been confirmed to have WNS in Indiana:
-
Big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus)
-
Eastern small-footed bat (Myotis leibii)
-
Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis)
-
Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens)
-
Little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus)
-
Tri-colored bat (Perimyotis subflavus)
-
Northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis)
HARMFUL MISINFORMATION
A few things we should know:
-
Bats are not rodents or flying mice.
-
North American bats don't feed on blood.
-
Bats are not blind.
-
Less than 1% have rabies, but injured/sick bats are more likely to come into contact with humans.
(REMINDER: it's always best to contact a nearby wildlife rehabilitator if you find a wild bat!)
How can we help bats in Delaware County?
There are many ways we can make a difference!
interested in studying bats? become a
CHIROPTEROLOGIST
( HAND ◦ WING ◦ TO STUDY ◦ PERSON )
KEEP CATS INDOORS
(this helps local birds, too!)
Thanks for learning about our local bats!
a note from the artist + developer:
hello! this illustrated knowledgebase is meant to evolve as I gather more data from local, reputable sources. so, keep checking back for new bat-related info, and other content to learn, create, explore, collab, & enjoy.
in the meantime, use the sources & helpful links below to study bats!
happy learning! – kort
SOURCES & HELPFUL LINKS
Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
-
Delaware County Indiana: Endangered, Threatened and Rare Species List (Revised March 2020)
-
Mammals of Indiana (Revised December 2020)
Dr. Tim Carter, Dept. of Biology at Ball State University, 2009