Bat

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Bat

TYPE: MAMMAL

RANGE:

Most of the U.S.

FOOD:

Insects, especially

mosquitoes, moths, beetles

PREDATORS:

Opossums, hawks, owls,

cats, humans

HABITAT:

Trees, caves, attics, bat

houses

Photo: Dr. Robert Thomas

DESCRIPTION

Bats are the only mammals which can fly. Their wings are made from very long fingers covered with skin.
Bats help people because they can eat hundreds of insects in an hour. But bats can also be harmful because they sometimes carry rabies.
Bats can see and hear quite well. Since they hunt at night, they use echolocation to find their prey.
Four of the most common bats in the Eastern U.S. are the big brown bat, the little brown bat, the red bat and the hoary bat.