Western Mastiff Bat

Eumops perotis

Description: This is the biggest North American bat, with a body length of 5 1/2 to 7 1/2" and a wingspan of over 22". Fur is dark brown, kind of thin, hairs white at base. Has huge ears, joined at base and extending out over forehead like a bonnet.

Range: Southern California and Arizona, extending down into Mexico.

Habitat: Lives in rocky areas and cliff faces. Roosts in cliff crevices and buildings.

Diet: Mostly moths, some crickets, grasshoppers, other insects.

Behavior: Forms small colonies of up to about 100 bats. Very vocal bat, emits many loud cheaping sounds while flying, audible to the human ear. Sometimes forages by crawling on the ground, with tail held up in the air. Bears a single young each year, in the early summer.