Spotted Bat – State Wildlife Action Plan

Spotted Bat

Photo Credit: USGS

The spotted bat is one of the most distinctive bats in North America due to its coloration, pelage, and large ears. Their unique fur coloration consists of a striking black and white pattern along with large pinkish-red ears; the white spots are about 15 mm in diameter and are found at the base of each ear, over each shoulder, and on the rump. This arid-land bat species is one of the larger vespertilionid bats in the western U.S., with an average total length of 107 to 115 mm, tail length of 47 to 50 mm, ear length of 45 to 50 mm, and weight of 8.1 to 11 g. Their echolocation calls are low frequency (15 to 8 kHz) and of moderate intensity (80 to 90 dB), suggesting that spotted bats are fast-flying, high-level foragers.

Overview

  • Species Common Name Spotted Bat
  • Species Scientific Name Euderma maculatum
  • Federal Listing Status Species of Concern
  • State Listing Status Sensitive

Ecoregions

    Special needs

    The spotted bat uses a variety of habitats including montane coniferous forests, riparian areas, meadows, desert scrub, rocky cliffs, and caves. Crevices in cliffs, caves, and canyon walls are utilized for day and night roosting. They use trees adjacent to meadows for night roosting. Spotted bats typically forage in meadows, shrub-steppe, or along riparian corridors and water sources.

    Limiting factors

    This spotted bat is naturally rare and has low reproductive rates. Loss of shrub-steppe habitat may further reduce abundance. Like other bats, this species is sensitive to disturbance at roosts.

    Conservation actions

    • Maintain open water sources in desert landscapes.
    • Manage rock features such as cliffs to avoid conflict with recreational use and rock removal.
    • Maintain and restore native shrub-steppe habitat.

    Key reference or plan

    North American Bat Monitoring Program in the Pacific NW. Read here