Bats are among the most important yet underrated animals in the world. Despite the fact that almost a quarter of all known mammal species are bats, most people know very little about them. Bats are vital for pollination and seed-dispersal in the world's tropical rainforests, and are the world's primary predators of flying insect pests, but are being killed indiscriminately or chased out of the few safe habitats left to them, because of misinformation and ignorance. Here in San Diego County we are fortunate to have 23 species of bats in residence. Below is a list of our nocturnal neighbors. Click on the names to see a photo and information on each local species. To read interesting facts about these intelligent little mammals and see a few cute photos of non-native bats, click on the Amazing Bat Facts page. If you want to protect bats, visit the websites of Bat World Sanctuary and Bat Conservation International to learn how you can help!

Order: Chiroptera Leaf-nosed Bats: Family Phyllostomidae Macrotus californicus - California Leaf-nosed Bat Choeronycteris mexicana - Mexican Long-tongued Bat (rare visitor)	"Binky", a pallid bat pup Photo by Jan Vanatta California Bat Conservation Fund
Plain-nosed Bats: Family Vespertilionidae Myotis yumanensis - Yuma Myotis Myotis evotis - Long-Eared Myotis Myotis thysanodes - Fringed Myotis Myotis californicus - California Myotis Myotis ciliolabrum - Small-Footed Myotis Myotis lucifugus - Little Brown Bat (rare visitor) Myotis volans - Long-legged Myotis Pipistrellus hesperus - Western Pipistrelle Eptesicus fuscus - Big Brown Bat Lasiurus blossevillii - Red Bat Lasiurus cinereus - Hoary Bat Lasiurus xanthinus - Yellow Bat (rare visitor) Euderma maculatum - Spotted Bat Corynorhinus townsendii - Townsend's Big-Eared Bat Antrozous pallidus - Pallid Bat Lasionycteris noctivagans - Silver-haired Bat (rare visitor)	"Ursula", a hoary bat Photo by Dick Wilkins
Free-tailed Bats: Family Molossidae Tadarida brasiliensis - Mexican Free-tailed Bat Nyctinomops femorosaccus - Pocketed Free-tailed Bat Nyctinomops macrotis - Big Free-tailed Bat Eumops perotis - Western Mastiff Bat	"Spike", a Mexican free-tailed pup © Taylor Johnson, Austin American-Statesman

Bats are wild animals and can bite in self-defense. Any wild animals that are easily approached may be sick and should be avoided. NEVER USE YOUR BARE HANDS to pick up or touch a bat. If you find an injured bat, gently scoop the animal into a small container (like a shoe box) using a cloth or piece of paper. Put a soft cloth into the box to give the bat something to hang onto and hide behind. Cover the box and place it where it cannot be disturbed by pets or children. Go to Bat World Sanctuary's Local Rescue/Assistance Page to find a volunteer bat worker/rehabilitator in your area. A lot of good information on safely helping bats found indoors or out can be found at the Bat World website, and the California Bat Conservation Fund has another good page with advice for helping any injured or stray bats in your home. If you find other types of injured or orphaned wildlife, contact Project Wildlife for assistance.

All the photos on this page and its linked pages are used here with the express permission of the photographers, and may not be reused for any other purpose. To view other great photos or get more detailed information about U.S. bat species by state, visit this link to Bat Conservation International.

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